Suspect in Custody for Crash Injuring California Highway Patrol Officer
BERKELEY — A suspect in custody is believed responsible for injuring a California Highway Patrol officer in a hit and run accident. The accident occurred on Interstate 80 near University Avenue on May 24.
Two CHP officers were assisting a disabled motorist at 12:46 a.m., when a Dodge Ram pickup truck sideswiped the patrol car. An officer standing nearby was also struck and suffered major injuries, requiring transport to a trauma center. The injured officer is expected to survive.
The second officer inside the patrol car and the occupant of the disabled vehicle were unharmed. However, the driver of the pickup truck fled from the scene.
The pickup truck was later located several miles away in Contra Costa County. It was found parked on the shoulder of eastbound I-80, near Pinole Valley Road.
Officers contacted the uninjured driver, 21-year-old Jimmy O. Jimenez, a resident of Vacaville. Jimenez was found sitting in the driver’s seat passed out. He was suspected of being intoxicated.
Jimenez was arrested at 1:51 a.m. He was transported and booked into Santa Rita Jail, where he remains in custody in lieu of $95,000 bond. His arraignment is scheduled for this week.
The suspect presently faces two felony charges. Jimenez was booked on suspicion of hit and run causing death or injury VC 20001(A) F. His second charge is DUI Alcohol causing bodily injury VC 23153(A) F.
Anyone with information regarding this crash can call the Oakland CHP office at 510-457-2875.
