San Bernardino Officer Hurt in Loma Linda Crash

A San Bernardino Police officer was injured Sunday night after his patrol unit collided with a sedan and then slammed into a light pole in Loma Linda.

A woman was behind the wheel of the Hyundai Sonata struck by the officer. Her injuries were unknown but she was able to speak with officers after the collision. The officer appeared disoriented but did not appear to have any major physical injuries at the crash scene.

The crash happened just before 8:30 p.m. on Redlands Boulevard east of Anderson Street in front of Hyundai Inland Empire and Spreen Honda.

Officials were still investigating the scene, but a crowd of witnesses said just before the crash, they had noticed the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s helicopter circling overhead. The helicopters spotlight briefly light up the area of the dealership.

Minutes later came the sound of screeching brakes and the collision. Witnesses said the patrol car, traveling west and possibly responding to a call, collided with the Sonata that was turning left into the dealership, according to the witness.

Several witnesses said the patrol struck the curb, briefly went airborne and struck a cement light pole that was torn off its foundation.

The patrol car came to rest facing the car dealership. Debris from the patrol car was scattered across three of the boulevard's four lanes and center median. Authorities closed the westbound lanes.

John Uhrig, who walked around inspecting the scene, said he and his wife Sandy own the Sonata. They had just purchased it and had driven it off the lot two hours earlier, he said. He was still trying to piece together exactly.

“We were just going to drop off and leave my other car here,” he said. “That’s all we were going to do.”

Loma Linda Police and San Bernardino Police were investigating the crash.