BALDWIN PARK — A Baldwin Park police officer and a suspect suffered serious injuries early Saturday after an intoxicated man fleeing officers in a stolen car crashed head-on into a police cruiser, authorities said.
The officer suffered a badly broken femur, a broken foot and a broken hand in the crash, Sgt. Chris Hofford said. The suspect suffered head injuries.
David Perez, 32, of Baldwin Park, was being pursued by police just before 1 a.m. after being spotted in Baldwin Park driving a Honda Accord that had been reported stolen out of Monterey Park, the sergeant said.
“(Perez) crossed over the double-yellow line and hit our officer head-on,” Hofford said.
The crash threw Perez from his vehicle, Hofford said.
Both the officer and Perez were hospitalized in stable condition, officials said.
The officer, described by police as a 36-year-old, 2-year veteran of the department, was driving on Merced Avenue near Frazier Street in his black and white Dodge Charger police car to join fellow officers already in the pursuit when the crash took place.
Perez was southbound on Merced Avenue, just past Frazier Street where the avenue makes a bend and becomes eastbound, Hofford said. The officer was heading west on Merced Avenue, approaching Frazier Street.
The crash is being investigated by the Baldwin Park office of the California Highway Patrol, however all inquiries were being directed to the Baldwin Park Police Department, CHP Sgt. Gil Peirsol said.
Perez was expected to be booked on charges including felony evading of police, evading causing injury, felony driving under the influence, possession of narcotics and auto theft, Hofford said.