POMONA >> A California Highway Patrol car struck and seriously injured a Pomona man as he ran in lanes of the 10 Freeway after crashing his motorcycle while fleeing from a CHP officer early Saturday, authorities said.
Martin Ruiz, 19, was hospitalized with major injuries and expected to face charges including evading police following in the unusual chain of events, which unfolded on the 10 Freeway, between Fairplex Drive and White Avenue, according to CHP Officer Monica Posada,
The incident began just before 1:20 a.m. when the CHP officer spotted Ruiz on a 2012 Kawasaki motorcycle, heading west on the 10 Freeway, just west of White Avenue, in Pomona.
“He was observed crossing over the double white lines out of the HOV lane, across all lanes,” Officer M. Bevan of the CHP’s Baldwin Park area office said in a written statement. “(Ruiz) exited the freeway at Fairplex Drive, travelling in excess of 100 mph.”
The CHP officer tried to pull the motorcycle over once it reached Fairplex Drive and started heading south, officials said.
Ruiz stopped at a red light along Fairplex Drive at the 10 Freeway, then rode through the red light and got back onto the 10 Freeway, heading east, Bevan said.
The officer followed but lost side of the fleeing motorcyclist, Bevan said. As the officer continued east, he saw the motorcycle crash just west of White Avenue.
“As (the officer) continued eastbound, the rider came out of the darkness running in a southeasterly direction and was struck by the patrol vehicle,” Bevan said.
Ruiz was taken to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center for treatment of major injuries, officials said. An update on his condition was not available Sunday.
The officer was unhurt.
The incident remains under investigation, and anyone with information is asked to contact Officer C. Flores of the CHP’s Baldwin Park area office at 626-338-1164.