Bicyclist hit and killed by Anderson Police car
A bicyclist was hit and killed by an Anderson Police car Sunday night. The incident led to another crash that injured a responding officer and left a driver in the ICU with major injuries.
It all started around 9 p.m. Sunday just south of Thomas Road on Highway 273. The person killed was riding a bike in the fast lane before being struck by an officer driving an Anderson Police car.
The officer was not injured. The bicyclist was pronounced dead at the scene after the officer tried to save him.
An Anderson Police sergeant arrived to redirect northbound traffic. The patrol car was then hit by a sedan heading north. The sergeant and the driver of the sedan were taken to the hospital. The driver is being treated in the ICU with major injuries. The sergeant, who was able to jump out of the way, suffered moderate injuries.
Redding resident Roman Madrid told KRCR he witnessed the aftermath of the crash, calling it a 'devastating scene'.
"It was a little bit after 9 when we were leaving Anderson and we'd seen quite a few fire trucks and police vehicles, first responders going north on 273," Madrid said. "The scene was devastating, the front of the police vehicle was smashed in and the Corolla, half the hood was just mangled. It wasn't pretty... it wasn't pretty at all."
Both cars had major damage, according to Anderson Police.
The bicyclist killed has not yet been identified.
The California Highway Patrol is investigating both crashes.
