LAPD Motorcycle Officer Fights For Life After SUV Slams Into Him In Sun Valley

SUN VALLEY (CBSLA.com) — A Los Angeles Police Department motorcycle officer was critically injured Saturday after an SUV slammed into him and caused him to, in turn, crash into the back of another vehicle  in Sun Valley.

The crash occurred at Lankershim Boulevard at Saticoy Street early Saturday evening, authorities said.

The officer, a 26-year-veteran of the department was reportedly "fighting for his life," Saturday evening. More than 50 officers -- friends and strangers -- held a vigil outside the hospital, nearby Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills.

Preliminary reports said at a stop light, an SUV slammed into the officer, the motorcycle officer was slammed into the back of a red sedan.

"He had no chance to get out of the way," said one officer.

The unidentified officer was crushed by the impact.

Alicia Garcia, who is training to be a medical assistant, heard the crash and rushed to the officer's aid.

"He was just like pale and unconscious. We seriously thought he was dead, but he wasn't," she said. "By the time I ran out, another nurse was out there, too. We were able to get a pulse from him."

Witness Dirk Clark told CBS2's Adrianna Weingold that he heard the collision. He was in his car just feet from the intersection.

"I saw the car that she hit, she pulled over to the side. I saw her walk out of the vehicle. But I had no idea there was a motorcycle in between them," he said in almost disbelief.