LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A Los Angeles Police Department motorcycle officer was injured today when he was struck by an SUV -- possibly carrying Inglewood Mayor James Butts -- leaving the officer's bike teetering atop a fountain near the USC campus.
The crash occurred about 8:45 a.m. near Exposition Boulevard and Figueroa Street, according to the LAPD. The officer was hospitalized in stable condition with injuries described as not life-threatening, police said. His name was not released.
LAPD Capt. Gisselle Espinoza told reporters at the scene the officer was ``stationary'' in front of the water fountain when a crash involving a black SUV and another vehicle occurred at the intersection, and the SUV wound up hitting the officer.
ABC7 captured aerial footage that shows Butts at the scene after the crash. The station reported that Butts appeared to have been inside the SUV that struck the officer, although it was unclear if he was behind the wheel.
Espinoza confirmed to the Los Angeles Times the SUV is registered to the city of Inglewood.
No other injuries were reported, and there was no word on whether anyone was cited.
Traffic was routed away from the area while an investigation was conducted. The university announced about 4:30 p.m. that the investigation had concluded and Exposition Boulevard was reopened to traffic.