John Ashbury
Press Enterprise
HEMET, Calif. — A Hemet police officer was seriously injured Tuesday night in a hit-and-run crash.
Officer Doug Barrett, 30, a five-year veteran, was in a patrol cruiser struck broadside by the driver of a Honda Accord about 11:30 p.m. at State Street and Acacia Avenue, Hemet police Capt. Rob Webb said.
A witness at the scene said the Accord driver ran a red light, Webb said. Both cars spun out and the Honda crashed into a third car that was waiting at a red light.
Barrett radioed he was injured and needed an ambulance. He had been patrolling his assigned area after having completed a call in the area, not responding to a call when the incident took place.
When police arrived, Barrett was trapped inside. He told officers the woman driver of the Honda ran from the scene, leaving the car behind.
Hemet firefighters cut Barrett from the patrol car. He was taken by ambulance to Hemet Valley Medical Center in serious condition and remained in the intensive care unit Wednesday.
Police later arrested Tonya A. Zajac, 32, identified as the driver of the Honda, on suspicion of felony driving under the influence with injuries. She was found hiding in the closet of a neighbor’s home.
Police also arrested Diether J. Zajac, 30, of Sun City, on suspicion of resisting arrest and possession of a controlled substance. A officer and police dog found him hiding in a neighborhood in the 200 block of South Inez Street.
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