CHP Investigates Two Crashes Involving Police

CATHEDRAL CITY – The California Highway Patrol says two crashes within the last monthboth crashes were caused by failure to yield.

On New Years Eve, a driver didn’t stop at the intersection and crashed into a Cathedral City officer on routine patrol. The officer broke his leg.

Then 2 weeks later, a different officer, taking someone to the hospital, turned right into a driver turning on Vista Chino. No injuries.

Both officers were in Palm Springs at the time. Neither using lights and sirens.

“If our officers are conducting a criminal investigation or involved in a call that may take them out of the city limits to verify information or to make contacts with witnesses or victims or suspects,” says Lt. Chuck Robinson with the Cathedral City Police Department.

The CHP is taking lead investigation but Cathedral City police are also looking for answers. They’ll deal with each officer separately.

“Then a determination is made for the appropriate level of potential discipline or training depending on what the circumstances are,” says Robinson.

It could mean a verbal warning, driving retraining, suspension or termination.

The department will go through their insurance to deal with the crashes.

“Just like a private citizen, if we’re at fault then we obviously pay for the damages to our vehicle and the damage to a vehicle we may cause and if it’s not our fault then we go through the normal insurance process,” says Robinson.

Cathedral City police say their department has a safe driving record considering how much they spend on the road.

They’re still waiting for the CHP’s full report.

It should arrive next week.