Van Hits Officer, Then Crashes; Freeway Closed for 6 Hours

The southbound Hollywood Freeway was shut down for about six hours Friday after a California Highway Patrol officer fired at alleged car thieves who tried to run over an officer before crashing as they fled, authorities said.

The incident began about 1:30 p.m. when a dispatcher at the CHP station in the Mid-City area saw three people breaking into cars outside the station. She told two investigators, who confronted the suspects, said Ernie Garcia, a CHP spokesman.

As one of the officers approached the suspects, Garcia said, a car tried to run him over. The officer fired at the vehicle, and it crashed into several parked cars.

One of the suspects got out of the car and jumped into a van. As the van drove away, Garcia said, one of the officers chased it on foot, following it as it entered the Vermont Avenue off-ramp.

While on the off-ramp, the driver of the van swerved at the officer, knocking him to the ground. The van got on the freeway and crashed into the center divider, Garcia said.

The officer suffered head injuries and was in guarded condition at County-USC Medical Center. His name was not released. The three suspects, whose identities were not released, were arrested. After the crime scene was cleared, the freeway reopened about 8 p.m.