Captain of USS New Jersey Injured in Huntington Beach Car Crash

The captain of the USS New Jersey was hospitalized Monday with serious head injuries when the car he was driving was struck from behind by a truck in Huntington Beach.

Capt. W. Lewis Glenn Jr., 46, was expected to remain in Long Beach Memorial Medical Center for at least two more days, hospital spokeswoman Shawna Penderghast said. Glenn’s condition was listed as serious but not life threatening.

“He’s still pretty well out of it,” Penderghast said.

Glenn had dropped off his son, Russell, 13, to deliver a newspaper Sunday morning in Huntington Beach when his car was struck from behind by the truck, police said.

Glenn, who was trapped in his vehicle, was freed by Huntington Beach firefighters and rushed to the medical center.

The driver of the truck, John Sarna, 24, of Huntington Beach had reached down to pick up some papers when his truck hit Glenn’s car, which was double-parked, police said. The incident is under investigation.

Glenn assumed command of the USS New Jersey--now in port at Long Beach--in 1985 and is to be promoted to rear admiral when his tour of duty ends Aug. 8.

The 888-foot-long battleship was launched Dec. 7, 1942, and fought in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War until its third retirement in December, 1969.

The New Jersey was returned to active military duty for a fourth time in 1981 after more than a decade in mothballs. It was recommissioned on Jan. 28, 1982, by President Reagan.