A Berkeley police officer and another vehicle collided during a crash in downtown Berkeley on Friday afternoon, according to the CHP.
The collision took place at about 4 p.m. at Shattuck and University avenues, kitty-corner from McDonald’s on the east side of Shattuck. The Berkeley Fire Department put one person, who had been driving a red Mazda, into an ambulance and took them to the hospital for medical treatment.
According to the California Highway Patrol, two officers in a BPD cruiser were responding to an emergency call for backup, heading south on Shattuck with their lights and sirens on, when they collided with a Mazda that had been eastbound on University. The crash sent the patrol car into a nearby building, said Officer Justin Hagler of the CHP.
Both officers and the sole occupant from the Mazda were taken to the hospital for assessment. The officers, who had minor lacerations, have been cleared and discharged, Hagler said. The other person reported chest pain.
Hagler said it was too soon to say who was at fault because the case is still under investigation.
The crash drew a rapid response from Berkeley police and firefighters. Two police officers — one with blood on his face — were assessed by the fire department at the scene.
Airbags in both the police cruiser and the Mazda deployed during the collision, which left substantial damage on the rear right-hand side of the patrol vehicle.
Traffic, including AC Transit buses, had been completely diverted from two blocks of Shattuck as of about 5:40 p.m. There was significant congestion in the area. Northbound traffic on Shattuck can only turn right onto University at the Blue Bottle building.
One block of University Avenue was also closed, from Milvia Street to Shattuck.
Editor’s note: This story was updated after publication due to the developing nature of events.
