Crime & Safety
Seal Beach Officer Injured In Suspected DUI Crash
While conducting a traffic stop Saturday afternoon, this Seal Beach Police Officer's parked patrol car was struck by a drunk driver.
SEAL BEACH, CA —A Seal Beach Police Officer is recovering from being struck by an alleged drunk driver over the weekend, according to the department.
On Saturday afternoon, an officer stopped a driver for traffic enforcement at Pacific Coast Highway and Mariner Drive. At approximately 3:15 p.m., an unrelated Ford F-150 traveling southbound on Pacific Coast Highway struck the parked patrol car, near where the officer stood.
The force of the crash knocked the officer to the ground, injuring him in the process, according to a department spokesperson. A passing Seal Beach Police volunteer witnessed the collision, immediately began to render aid, and radioed for assistance, they said.
Find out what's happening in Los Alamitos-Seal Beachwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The driver, identified as Huntington Beach resident Kenneth Jacob Lopez, 30, F-150 lost control after the crash and further collided into a nearby wall. Afterward, Lopez fled the scene on foot, police say.
Huntington Beach Police located the fleeing driver a short distance away and took him into custody without further incident. The driver was uninjured in the crash.
Find out what's happening in Los Alamitos-Seal Beachwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
An ambulance took the injured Seal Beach Police to a local hospital.
California Highway Patrol officers, who took over the investigation, placed Lopez under arrest for felony hit and run and felony driving under the influence.
Lopez was booked and is at the Orange County Jail, awaiting his court appointment.
This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact CHP Officer J. Billington at (714) 892-4426.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
