Two police officers from the Simi Valley Police Department are in the hospital following a serious collision on the evening of October 24, according to KTLA. The officers were on duty, traveling southbound on Tapo Canyon Road near the 118 Freeway when they were hit by another vehicle also heading south. The incident occurred around 9:25 p.m., and it resulted in all three vehicles sustaining major damage.
Included in the collision, the officers were taken to a local hospital after they sustained injuries. Both are reported to be stable, but the exact nature of their injuries has yet to be disclosed. The driver responsible, who was traveling at high speed at the time of the crash, has been identified as 28-year-old Luis Fernando Piceno-Venegas of Simi Valley.
Law enforcement officials have confirmed that Piceno-Venegas was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI). In a communication shared by Nixle, the California Highway Patrol has taken charge of the investigation and subsequent arrest of the driver, ensuring that local authorities are not involved in the legal process surrounding the incident with their officers.
Details on the accident are still forthcoming, as officials continue to examine the circumstances that led to the unfortunate event of the officers, while performing their duties, were injured. The driver, Piceno-Venegas, remains in custody as investigations proceed.
