CHP Officer Seriously Injured in Head-on Crash With Alleged Impaired Driver

A suspected impaired pickup truck driver crossed double yellow lines in Grimes Canyon and collided head-on with a California Highway Patrol cruiser, seriously injuring a police officer and a passenger in the truck.
Source Officer.com News
Aug. 18, 2026
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  • A California Highway Patrol officer suffered serious injuries when an alleged impaired driver crossed the centerline and struck the officer's patrol vehicle head-on in Grimes Canyon late Saturday night.
  • The officer and a passenger in the pickup truck sustained major injuries and were hospitalized, while the driver suffered minor injuries; all are expected to recover.
  • The driver was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol causing bodily injury.
California Highway Patrol
A pickup truck collided head on with a California Highway Patrol cruiser in Grimes Canyon

An accused impaired driver allegedly veered into oncoming traffic and crashed into a California Highway Patrol cruiser Saturday, seriously injuring an officer.

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A California Highway Patrol officer was seriouly injured after a head-on collision with an alleged impaired driver over the weekened. 

The crash happened at around 11 p.m. Saturday in Grimes Canyon when a pickup truck crossed the double yellow lines and collided head on with a CHP officer's cruiser, the agency stated in a news release. According to investigators, the pickup's driver had been impaired at the time of the crash and was unable to stay in his lane.

The officer and a passenger in the pickup suffered "major injuries" and were taken to the hospital. The pickup driver suffered only minor injuries, and all three are expected to recover.

The driver was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol causing bodily.

“Driving under the influence is a dangerous choice that can have life-changing consequences,” said Lt. Randy O’Brien. “There is never a reason to get behind the wheel while impaired. Designate a sober driver, use a rideshare service, call a friend or family member, or make other arrangements to get home safely. The options are there. If you’ve been drinking, don’t drive.”

About the Author

Joe Vince
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Joe Vince

Joining Endeavor Business Media in 2018, Joe has worked on the company's city services publications. He began working at OFFICER.com as the assistant editor. Before starting at Endeavor, Joe had worked for a variety of print and online news outlets, including the Indianapolis Star, the South Bend Tribune, Reddit and Patch.com.
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