On Saturday, February 4, 2012, at approximately 6:10 p.m., a Long Beach Police Department Motor Officer was enroute to assist with a checkpoint to screen for unlicensed and impaired drivers, when he was involved in a collision involving an unlicensed driver who made an unsafe turn.

The officer was traveling westbound on Anaheim Street and about to pass through the intersection at Walnut Avenue on the green light, when a blue Ford Focus traveling eastbound on Anaheim, made a left turn in an attempt to turn northbound on Walnut. The officer was unable to stop in time and his motorcycle collided with the passenger vehicle.

Paramedics from the Long Beach Fire Department responded to the scene and transported the injured officer to a local hospital where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Two other motor officers who were riding with the officer at the time were able to avoid the collision and were not injured.

The driver of the passenger vehicle, a 47-year-old male resident of Long Beach, did not sustain any injuries. He was cited at the scene for being an unlicensed driver and making an unsafe turn, and the vehicle was impounded.

The Long Beach Police Department would like to remind all drivers that it is illegal to drive without a license, as well as unsafe for the driver and everyone else using the roadway. The Department regularly conducts driver checkpoints to check for impaired and unlicensed drivers in an effort to remove these drivers from the road, as well as to raise awareness to the issue. Unlicensed drivers can expect to be cited and have their vehicle impounded for 30 days. Drivers caught driving impaired can expect jail, license suspension, and insurance increases, as well as fines, fees, DUI classes, other expenses that can exceed $10,000.

Motorists are encouraged to call 9-1-1 anytime they see a driver on the roadway who is endangering the safety of others.