A Santa Monica police officer suffered moderate injuries Saturday morning when his motorcycle crashed into the back of a car he was attempting to pull over on Pacific Coast Highway, police said.
The crash occurred about 7:50 a.m. on PCH near the California Incline, said Santa Monica Police Sgt. Jay Trisler. The female motorist slammed on the brakes as she approached a traffic light that turned yellow, causing the officer to crash into the rear end of the vehicle, a BMW convertible, Trisler said. The officer, a seven-year-veteran of the SMPD with nearly two years of experience as a motorcycle officer, was transported to a local hospital.
The motorist was questioned at the scene but was not arrested.
The California Highway Patrol closed the westbound Santa Monica (10) Freeway transition to northbound PCH at the McClure Tunnel for 30 minutes while the crash was investigated.
CHP is handling the investigation.
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