Phoenix officer driving patrol unit seriously injured in collision

PHOENIX – A police officer was seriously injured in a two-vehicle collision in Phoenix early Wednesday, authorities said.

The crash was caused by a vehicle that ran a red light near 40th Street and Thomas Road, the Phoenix Police Department said.

Three men who were in the vehicle ran away after the crash but were eventually found and detained. Nobody has been arrested, police said Wednesday afternoon.

Police said they were called about the crash around 12:30 a.m. The caller said the officer appeared trapped.

The patrol vehicle was so damaged that the officer had to be extricated by emergency responders at the scene, police said.

The officer was taken to a hospital with injuries described as serious but not life-threatening.

Investigators say the patrol vehicle was heading west on Oak Street through an intersection when the other vehicle, which was traveling north, ran a red light.

Police don’t think the driver was impaired. The investigation is ongoing.

Follow @KTAR923