A Chula Vista police officer was hospitalized early Sunday morning after a speeding driver suspected of being under the influence ran a red light and slammed into the officer’s patrol vehicle, according to the Chula Vista Police Department.
The crash happened around 1:56 a.m. at the intersection of Olympic Parkway and Santa Venetia Street in the Otay Ranch Village neighborhood. Police say a white four‑door sedan was traveling westbound on Olympic Parkway at a high rate of speed when the driver drove through a solid red light and struck the marked patrol car from behind.
The impact pushed the officer’s vehicle off the roadway and into an embankment.
Firefighters arrived with a full rescue response, including a search‑and‑rescue vehicle, two engines, a truck, and a battalion chief. Crews used multiple tools to extricate both the officer and a passenger trapped in the sedan.
“Firefighters did a great job extricating the patient with all the knowledge, skills and ability they have,” said Chula Vista Fire Department battalion chief, Richard Brocchini.
The officer and the two occupants of the sedan were taken to a nearby trauma center with non‑life‑threatening injuries. Police say the officer is expected to recover.
Investigators believe alcohol was a factor in the crash, and the driver of the sedan was arrested on suspicion of DUI. The Chula Vista Police Department’s Traffic Division is handling the investigation.
Anyone who witnessed the collision or has additional information is asked to contact the Chula Vista Police Department Traffic Bureau or San Diego County Crime Stoppers.
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication.