Surveillance video shows CHP car flipping near propane tank in Las Lomas
WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KION-TV) — A California Highway Patrol officer is recovering after a dramatic crash in front of Los Lomas Market late Tuesday night.
The officer’s patrol vehicle struck a pole and flipped on its side while responding to an emergency call.
The crash happened near the intersection of Willow Road and Hall Road.
Nearby residents say the crash caused quite a scene and could have ended much worse.
“I went over and I noticed there was a police vehicle that was on its side," Gabriel Medina, who lives in the area said. "There was an officer that was being pulled out, and he was just kind of a little everywhere."
Surveillance video from the neighborhood captured the moment the CHP slammed into a pole, narrowly missing a propane tank stationed just outside the market.
“We’re very lucky and very fortunate that the pole stopped the car from hitting the propane tank,”
Adrian Mendoza, store manager of Los Lomas Market said.
Mendoza says their team works closely with the county to meet all safety standards when it comes to flammable materials like propane.
Witnesses say a direct hit to the propane tank could have led to devastating consequences.“With the propane, we have certain standard requirements we need to meet with the city and the county. These calls are very important, and inspections usually happen because the county wants to stay a few steps ahead and prevent catastrophes like this from happening,” Mendoza said.
People in the area say electricity didn’t return until about 3 or 4 a.m.
“We’ve always known that’s been a dangerous spot for the propane tank," Medina said. "That’s why those yellow stands are there. If you go behind them, you’ll see they’re actually bent. So the vehicle rammed into it, slid off to the pole, and knocked out all the power."
Residents say the crash underscores longstanding issues with traffic safety in the area.
“We’ve been asking the county for decades to come over here and fix our road to make sure we have safe routes,” Medina said.
An area that locals say has long been a concern due to traffic dangers and lack of proper road infrastructure.
“If anybody makes a right turn, they nearly hit a lot of the students there," Medina said. "Just a few months ago, we had somebody crossing and unfortunately, he lost his life right over here. It’s a very dangerous pathway. We’ve been asking for a simple light to halt traffic in the morning."
The CHP is continuing to investigate the cause of the crash.
The officer was taken to the hospital with what officials describe as minor injuries. His condition is currently stable.
