Officer runs red light, crashes, early reports say

An on-duty Newport Beach police officer ran a red light on Pacific Coast Highway and crashed his cruiser into another vehicle, according to preliminary reports of the accident, police said Friday.

About 7:15 p.m. Thursday a Newport Beach police officer, whom department officials declined to identify, was eastbound on Pacific Coast Highway when witnesses said the officer ran the red light at Avocado Avenue and hit another car turning left in front of them onto PCH before crashing into a light pole, said Sgt. Evan Sailor.

It did not appear the officer was responding to a call at the time, Sailor said.

The officer and the other driver were taken to Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian and treated for minor injuries then released, police said. The officer’s car sustained moderate to severe front-end damage.

California Highway Patrol traffic investigators are handling the accident so there’s no appearance of bias in the investigation, police said. A second law enforcement agency customarily handles crash investigations when the local agency is involved in the incident.

— Joseph Serna