CHP officer injured in Elk Grove

[johnparjr]

ELK GROVE, Calif. -- A California Highway Patrol officer was injured and taken to the UC Davis Medical Center by helicopter after being struck by a vehicle, KCRA 3 reported.
Officer Matthew Ramirez, 30, is a five-year veteran of the department.
Ramirez suffered minor to moderate injuries and is expected to be fine.

KCRA 3 reported that Ramirez had pulled over a Buick during a traffic stop. While the officer was talking to the driver of the Buick, the driver of the Audi hit the CHP officer for an unknown reason.
Four other people had minor to moderate injuries, three people in a Buick and one from an Audi.
The accident closed northbound Highway 99 between Laguna Boulevard and Elk Grove Boulevard for more than an hour, KCRA 3 reported.

[B-Cuz]

So I take it that the Audi struck the Buick which in turn struck the officer. Damn talk about a bad day, any reports on whether the driver of the Audi was under the influence or was he/she just plain negligent while rubber necking?

[-Baker-]

audi driver must have been on a cell phone!!!

Hope the Officer makes a speedy recovery.....

[CnDnMax]

the driver was probably rubbernecking to look at the purdy flashing lights :rolleyes Hope the officer heals up quick.

[johnparjr]

Officer is out of the hospital as of this morning:thumbup

[mnb]

I understand why people rubberneck. They're curious what is up and a commute is boring. But why the slow downs? I have no problem maintaining speed when I look over to see what's up? Are some people's neck muscles connected to the foot?

Could this be surgically correctable? Would Medicare cover it?

[wsmc831]

Officer is out of the hospital as of this morning:thumbup

great news. tragedy avoided....which seems rare these days.

[dogcatfud]

Some traffic officers prefer to address the driver from the passenger side of the vehicle as it reduces the chance of getting struck by a rubbernecking third party.

But we don't have enough details to ascertain the cause of this incident.

[RolnCode3]

Some traffic officers prefer to address the driver from the passenger side of the vehicle as it reduces the chance of getting struck by a rubbernecking third party.
He was on the passenger side of the vehicle he stopped. (according to the articles I read)

[willbeezy]

glad to hear he is recovering