Details Released In Crash That Injured Murrieta Police Officer

MURRIETA, CA — A Murrieta police officer and another driver were taken to a hospital last week after a collision at an intersection involving a marked patrol vehicle responding to an emergency call, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The crash occurred around 9:45 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, at the intersection of Murrieta Hot Springs Road and Madison Avenue.

According to CHP investigators, a 34-year-old Murrieta Police Department officer was driving a 2022 Ford Explorer patrol vehicle with emergency equipment activated to assist fellow officers with an occupied stolen vehicle. Heading west on Murrieta Hot Springs Road, the patrol vehicle entered the intersection of Madison Avenue and collided with a GMC Acadia driven by Jose Briseno Arreguin, 58, of Hemet.

Both the officer and Arreguin reported minor injuries following the crash and were transported by ground ambulance to Rancho Springs Medical Center for evaluation. Safety belts were in use by both drivers at the time of the collision.

The CHP Temecula Area office is conducting an independent investigation into the crash. Officers said weather conditions were hot and clear, and neither alcohol nor drugs are suspected to have played a role.

No arrests were announced.