INDUSTRY — A South Gate police officer suffered a broken arm but was expected to recover after colliding with a a civilian car early Wednesday, officials said.

The crash occurred just before 7 a.m. in the intersection of Temple Avenue and Baldwin Park Boulevard, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Sgt. James Beamon said.

Though the officer suffered a badly broken arm, he was expected to be released from a hospital later Wednesday, Sgt. Ernie Barbosa said. The driver of a Volkswagon Beetle that collided with the motorcycle was unhurt, but cited for driving without a license.

The officer was westbound on Temple Avenue, splitting a lane with another vehicle at about 25 to 30 mph prior to the crash, Barbosa said. The Volkswagen driver was making a left turn from eastbound Temple Avenue onto northbound Baldwin Park Boulevard.

Two cars on either side of the motorcycle officer came to a stop at a yellow light, but the motorcycle officer proceeded through, officials said.

The Volkswagen driver apparently did not see the officer and made his turn, Barbosa said. The motorcycle struck the side of the car.

As a precaution, officials said, rescuers flew the injured officer to a hospital by helicopter.

The uniformed officer was on his way to work when the accident occurred, Barbosa said.