A blood drive held in Mission Hills on Monday for a Los Angeles Police Department motorcycle officer who was in critical condition after being struck by a suspected DUI driver drew a larger-than-expected crowd of law enforcement personnel and community members who were eager to help, organizers said.
"We were stunned," said Patricia Aidem, a spokeswoman for Providence Holy Cross Medical Center. "We got the word the out yesterday and we thought it was just going to be LAPD officers. The minute we were opened we had a line already."
The blood drive was scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., but the large turnout of people from across Southern California led organizers to extend donation hours. Another blood drive is scheduled for Tuesday at the LAPD's Mission Area Station.
Organizers said more than 170 people showed up and 150 pints of blood were collected. Some people waited at least two hours to give.
"They do so much for us every day protecting us out on the streets, I feel like when one of them is down we should all step up," said donor Hunter Seymour.
On Tuesday, another blood drive was set to be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the LAPD's Mission Community Police Station at 11121 N. Sepulveda Blvd. in Mission Hills.
The outpouring of support came two days after the 26-year LAPD veteran was rear-ended by an SUV as he waited at a red light in North Hollywood, leaving him pinned between two vehicles.
The officer remained in a medically induced coma Monday.
The driver of the SUV, Qaneak Cobb of North Hollywood, was arrested Saturday night on suspicion of being under the influence of cocaine at the time of the crash, police said.
