CHP officer hospitalized after freeway collision (updated)

KTLA photo

DOWNEY - The driver of the car that struck and injured a California Highway Patrol officer in a fiery collision on a freeway in Downey was apparently speeding, police said Thursday.

CHP officers were called at 1:24 a.m. to the Lakewood Boulevard off ramp of the eastbound Glenn Anderson (105) Freeway after receiving a request for assistance from the officer, said CHP Officer Patrick Kimball.

Witnesses told officers the driver was speeding when what appeared on television footage to be a light-colored SUV slammed into the patrol car, causing the CHP vehicle to burst into flames.

"The driver did not apply brakes and went straight into the CHP patrol car with all four wheels off the ground," Robert Martinez told CBS 2.

CBS 2 footage showed a woman in handcuffs being escorted to a CHP vehicle but City News Service could not confirm any arrests.

At least one officer was taken to St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood in an unknown condition, Kimball confirmed.

ABC 7 reported three officers and one civilian were taken to the hospital.

The condition of the driver was unknown.

The crash closed all lanes of the eastbound 105 for several hours while CHP conducted its investigation.