A hit-and-run driver struck a 14-year veteran California Highway Patrol officer, sending her to the hospital in serious condition Wednesday evening, the agency confirmed.
The officer was directing a traffic break at a crash at Pacific Coast Highway and Topanga Canyon Road just after 9 p.m., Officer Leland Tang said.
The driver struck the officer, sending her to the ground, and took off.
An officer helping with the initial crash immediately called the injury in on the radio, Yang said.
There were several witnesses at the initial non-injury crash who were vital in notifying officers as to where the driver had fled, Yang said.
The driver was found about seven miles away at California Trail and Topanga Canyon Boulevard after fleeing the scene, Yang said. The driver was taken into custody.
The officer was airlifted to UCLA Medical Center in serious condition, Yang said.
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La Tuna Canyon and Malibu Canyon roads were given as alternatives for drivers to take as Topanga Canyon Boulevard was closed during the investigation.
It was not immediately clear if the driver had been driving under the influence.
