The Antelope Valley Times

Your community. Your issues. Your news.

Lancaster sergeant flips patrol car

by •

An investigator surveys the damage to the patrol car shortly after the collision. The sergeant sustained moderate injuries and is listed in stable condition following the crash, which occurred around 9 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 16 on Sierra Highway at Avenue J-8 in Lancaster. (Photo by LUIS MEZA)
An investigator surveys the damage to the patrol car shortly after the collision. The sergeant sustained moderate injuries and is listed in stable condition following the crash, which occurred around 9 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 16 on Sierra Highway at Avenue J-8 in Lancaster. (Photo by LUIS MEZA)

LANCASTER – A Lancaster Sheriff’s Station field sergeant was injured Thursday night when his patrol car flipped over after he swerved to avoid a pedestrian in the road, authorities said.

The collision occurred around 9 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 16 on Sierra Hwy at Avenue J-8 in Lancaster, according to Lt. Slade Carrizosa of the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station.

At the time, the field sergeant was “responding Code 3 to an assistance request by a Lancaster Station patrol deputy,” Carrizosa stated.

While driving south on Sierra Highway, the sergeant saw a pedestrian in the roadway and swerved his patrol car to avoid hitting the pedestrian, according to Carrizosa.

“The sergeant avoided hitting the pedestrian and collided with the southwest curb and a business sign,” Carrizosa stated. “The collision caused his patrol car to overturn.”

A witness to the collision said a woman crossing the street caused the crash.

“This lady was jaywalking across the street, totally oblivious to what was going on…kept walking like nothing happened after he’d crashed the car,” said Janet (who did not give her last name). “He swerved to miss her; [the patrol car] went straight up and it came back down on the roof.”

The sergeant was transported via ambulance to Antelope Valley Hospital, where he is being treated for moderate injuries and is listed in stable condition, according to Carrizosa.

The pedestrian was not injured.

–

Filed Under: Lancaster

74 comments for "Lancaster sergeant flips patrol car"

  1. I recall a mother/grandfather jaywalking near 5th Street East/Avenue J on her birthday, when a driver did not see her, struck and killed her. Watching her children and other family members respond to the scene only to find their loved dead on the street was not a pleasant sight. They had to switch from thoughts of celebrating her birthday to planning her funeral in a matter of seconds! This guy who gives his all to serve the public takes preventive actions to ensure that another family doesn’t have to do the same, thus placing his own family in that position, is criticized and bad mouthed by a bunch of opportunistic, leeches that obviously only suck resources from society. Anyone with any type of sense would be thanking him. Get well soon partner…

  2. The unfortunate accident, has led to an onslaught of negativity toward the LASD. I’m curious as to why? Honestly, anyone that drives in the Antelope Valley and obeys the law, cannot help but be abjectly appalled by the number of drivers and pedestrians that seem to be intent on causing harm. Laws are in place for “everyone” to obey. If “everyone” took the responsibility to do so, the need for those that have chosen to enforce them wouldn’t exist. NOW, BACK TO REALITY! Law enforcement agencies are not optional, they provide necessary services that are too numerous to mention in this format.

  3. A pig flipped his car and it’s news for 2 weeks. Really, I though AV was a crime ridden frontier town? No better news than this in the lawless frontier town the is AV? Maybe it’s NOT NEARLY as bad as the news reports? No?

  5. If i understand the facts correctly, the sergeant wasn’t just speeding to a call – He was responding to assist several other deputies on the east side of town who were in a foot chase of some scumbag who had just burglarized a house – So apparently the cops can’t win – People criticize cops when they do their jobs, as he was in this case, but because some glazed eyed crackhead was walking in the middle of sierra hwy (where she could of been hit and killed by anyone) the trolls come out to post negative comments against the cops – If you’re being attacked or your house is being broke into and ransacked would you want the po-po to not turn on their lights and sirens, drive the speed limit and observe every single traffic law..? Of course not. But until that happens be sure to continue to berate and scrutinize them – Accidents happen – Had Joe Citizen been heading down Sierra Hwy and turned that jaywalker into roadkill it would be a totally different story – But a cop heading to help catch another AV scumbag swerves to avoid her, almost kills himself in the process and the self appointed NTSB internet wannabees come forward with irrelevant comments and conspiracy theories – That’s real rational thinking there folks. I wonder what the comments would be if it were a paramedic or ambulance heading to a baby not breathing call and crashed…? It isn’t the cops that are ruining the quality of life in this valley. But seeing it is that they are constantly criticized for either doing/not doing their jobs I couldn’t imagine being a cop in this cesspool of a town and valley – Do you want a somewhat safe and decent place to live or would you rather have ‘justice’ ..? Stage a rally and protest then – Turn this place into Ferguson MO then – See how well the ‘thugs for justice’ program works to protect your personal safety. I’d love to see all of the cop critics begging for help from law enforcement when 5000 thugs are looting your street. Betcha you’d be calling 911 and changing your tune and opinion real quick, or out there rioting and stealing from your neighbors too.

  7. A while back I was in the audience while a highway patrol officer spoke to a Civil Patrol unit and he explained the law like this:

    If you have 2 intersections that have lights of stop signs and no other minor streets or alleys in between, then you MUST use the cross walk at either end.

    If, between those 2 intersections, you have minor roads or alleys intersecting the road you are trying to cross, then you may cross anywhere between the two main intersections.

    In addition to this, each and every intersection is understood to have crosswalks, even if they are not marked.

    The article clearly states the officer hit the SOUTHwest curb so it must have been near an intersection or else the article would have only said he hit the west curb.

    May I point out that at 7-11 there is a side road that intersects Sierra Highway?

    It is highly unlikely that this person was jay walking.

    It would be really nice if more drivers learned the rules of sharing the road.

    I am not implying anything for or against the officer here, just inspired to educate the masses that want to complain about pedestrians jay walking.

    Incidentally, have you heard about the new law mandating drivers give bicyclists a minimum of 3 feet when passing?

    Probably not. Smdh.

  8. My problem is people who j/walk on Ave S at Walmart on Ave S. Also people who don’t stop at stop light turning rt. running red lights. And also when u hv u-turn people who hv red light don’t bother stopping and almost hit U-turn drivers. People hv attitudes of get out of my way and do what they want to. Hope sheriff is ok and I thank him for his service! You people need to put yourself in their place most people in this valley are jacked up and crazy. !!!!

  9. First of all, most of these claims of being there was after the fact the officer had already flipped his car, the only ones that were out there exactly when it happened were me and my two teammates from uav, who were actual witnesses to the whole thing we rushed to his car to make sure he was alive and wanted to help just in case the car where to go on fire. There was a lady who he avoided which caused this crash, he risked his life saving hers. So all these comments of him not paying attention is bs! And if you mouth talkers are still talking,he climbed out of his car on his own, when we asked him if he was okay he replied to get the woman out the street so she doesn’t get hit. It was a bad crash to even witness it. So don’t start Believing people and what they heard and start talking crap. He has to be pretty banged up, hope for a speedy recovery.!

    • That’s pretty awesome. The guy was completely selfless in that act….concerned only with others. That’s a hero. The sheriffs take a lot of unnecessary flack from the public but I guarantee they would unquestioningly sacrifice themselves to save anyone. These guys keep us safe. Without them, this valley would be one big bloodbath.

    • This Officer is the type of person who would do anything for anyone. Thanks for telling what you saw. I personally know the officer and I can believe that his first concern was for the lady who was crossing the Street. People are fast to judge someone in law enforcement and do not always know the entire story. He is a good man and risk his life for the life of another. I know the family of the lady is elated that he didn’t hit their Mom. Thanks again for telling what you witnessed first hand.

  10. Did they drug test and break out the breathalyzer on this guy or is that only for Joe Taxpayer?

    • [removed] These guys risks their necks every day and have to listen to ppl like you complain no matter what. It’s damned if they do and damned if they don’t. You complain when they show up when ur part of the problem cause they are obviously harassing you, or you complain that it takes too long for them to get there when you are the victim. You will talk sh,t no matter the situation,, but I’ve seen plenty of loudmouths like you who’d piss down your leg in fear if you had to do what they do routinely. Pull your head out.

    • Just because your in a collision, does not mean your get drug tested and have to submit to a breath test. Rock.

  11. You should all become a Sheriff. You know so much and have real experiences. You would be awesome! Look into it and follow through. I dare you!

    • Yes what a great idea! Then I can protect and serve the public by speeding through a busy parking lot in east Palmdale and swing into a Mi Ranchito parking space 5 feet from the customer entrance, missing a group of people carrying out food by inches! Then I can mock the same citizens (in that hyperbolic way only a good oinker can) when they say something about it…I mean, god forbid they notice they were nearly ran over by a speeding vehicle while getting lunch, right??
      No thank you. If I wanted to pursue acting I damn sure wouldn’t do it for $15 an hour!

      • @ fugetaboutit

        Better research the pay scale for ‘actors’ – Focus on the non union day rate first, because that’s where you will start (assuming you are able to even get work) and you will be making minimum wage – You wouldn’t work ‘full time’ either, no benefits or mileage pay – Then if you’re fortunate enough to get enough vouchers to become SAG/AFTRA eligible, then only after your initial $3200.00 dues you can make standard union day rate – Not bad, but unless you land a full time gig you’d still make far less than a cop, or even a Walmart greeter annually because less than 1/4 of all SAG members work full time. You’re better off being a writer and joining the WGA – However after reading your post, I couldn’t see you having any chance at a career in writing – not even fiction, at least for pay anyway. Sorry.

  14. I find it peculiar that (according to the story) the sergeant flips his car due to a pedestrian jay walking yet there is no mention of the pedestrian being cited or arrested for causing an accident? I call BS

    • The lady was walking in the middle of the street I was there they took the lady away in the police car…

      • Well I find it crazy that people come on here with no knowledge of the actual situation and automatic claims of the Deputy or the City at fault. Use your head, The Sheriff works for us, they receive urgent calls and have to respond, Sorry to say jay walking and such is very common and if you look several people have been killed doing such, Now this guy tries to avoid the body bag and people claim the cop this and that…If I was that lady I would be thanking him for not killing me. People are like sheep its in fashion to question anything to do with the law or cops or a President, Great, But WE set the rules, For all the what if this or that..Give me a break, What if you had ended up on your roof trying to avoid killing a Jay walker..you would be joe hero

        • I find it crazy that anyone would take anything claimed by the LASD at face value without questioning the details. Maybe you should learn how to question the “official story” every once in a while instead of being so gullible. If you actually knew how these power drunk departments operate or even how your own local government conducts business behind closed doors it would probably make your little head pop. Open your eyes, the truth is stranger than fiction.

  16. The cops drive reckless when I was arrested recently the cop was driving in the middle of 2 lanes the whole time texting! Ain’t nobody got time for dat. It was really scary. PS a was rear ended by a cop that was on his lap top. So you can’t tell me nothing. #copssuckatdriving bye Falecia

  17. From what I was told by my buddy that was riding his bike there were two deputy cars that were in front of him the first 2 squad cars were driving fine the last 1 that crash he was driving with his head down on his laptop… My buddy saidAs I countinue to head toward 711 on his bike he seen him drive straight into the post there was no pedestrian that they was there I was on my bike there was a lady walking but she was walking perfectly fine on sidewalk going toward j… The camera at 711 will see the lady and then me on my bike 100% there was no jaywalker specially when 2 squad cars drove by first…hello!

    • THATS ABOUT IT BLAME IT ON SOMEONE ELSE BET THE FILM COMES UP MISSING AND JAYWALKING IF DRIVERS STOP FOR PEDESTRIANS IN CROSS WALKS MAYBE THE JAYWALKING WILL STOP OR AT LEAST SLOW DOWN i HAVE SPENT THE LAST THREE YEARS IN PITTSBURGH PA AND THEY HAVE THE WORSE DRIVERS I HAVE EVER WITNESSED IN MY LIFE THEY ALMOST RUN YOU DOWN IN THE CROSS WALK THEY ALSO WILL CALL YOU A JAGOFF AND SAY SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR MOTHER I DONT UNDERSTAND WHEN SOME PEOPLE GET BEHIND THE WHEEL THEY CHANGE AND FOR THIS COP HE KNOWS HE WAS WRONG AND WILL NEVER ADMIT IT

    • Your buddy is lying. I was there had just got out of school seen every thing that happened. The lady was in the middle of the street and the police swerved to miss her and crashed.

    • from what you were told? funny I was told the cars were half a block apart and the “Lady” was crossing in traffic and so stoned she did not even see a police car with its lights flashing…but then again your “Buddy” should have stuck around and made a statement to the Sheriff’s Media, Ambulance, and 10 plus cars pulled over for the sirens. The bike guy must be the same guy that saw the missing shooter or the Hoffa murder.

  18. maybe they should put in more crosswalks on Sierra Hwy that would help decrease the number of jaywalkers

    • There is nothing even on the east side of the street from that location for them to need to cross right there. Go to the crosswalk or don’t cross. Its that simple. Why waste tax dollars adding more crosswalks because people are lazy? No matter what people are going to jaywalk and blame the distance of the nearest crosswalk.

      • There is something on the East side of Sierra Highway, the paved bike lane/walking trail that runs parallel with the train tracks from Avenue J to Technology Way (Avenue P-8). The only entrances to the trail are one mile apart (at each signal). The crash happened at Avenue J-8, so that would be a half mile in either direction to get to the nearest crosswalk. Just a thought.

  19. Jaywalking will always be a problem. The deputies cite them, and the judge throws them out of court. Get rid of that worthless judge.

    • They throw out tickets then city complains of funds. Live how that works, i agree though we need judges who will uphold these tickets.

  20. I go to that 7-11 on the corner often; if you’ve ever been around there at night, you probably have a good idea what kind of woman was crossing the street. That place gets SEEDY.

      • You will see those around there, they are usually buying their dinner at that 7-11. You’ll also see a huge amount of drunks and drug users hiding in the alley behind the furniture store there, coming from the nearby apartments and the nicely tucked away trailer park right there. Winning crowd, all the time.

        When I go there at night time to buy anything, I only bring enough money to make a purchase and an ID so I can be identified.

  21. I can’t count how many times I have witnessed a patrol car in the good old AV responding “code 3” at 80+ MPH assumedly en route to a call…only one thing missing, lights and sirens. I have also watched a couple officers drag race their patrol cars from the stop light @ Palmdale Blvd/Sierra Hwy back to the Palmdale station. These pretentious idiots believe they are above the law, I feel for anyone that may be involved in a TC with one of them, as the narrative will be written in favor of the involved cop up to and including fabricated witness statements. The AV is their playground. Glad I got out of that dump

    • Im glad you got out too. There is no such thing as Code 3 without lights and sirens. In addition, there are numerous, commonly occurring, calls for service, in which activating/utilizing lights and sirens is not only unreasonable, but it also places the first responders at a greater level of risk. Ironically, I’m sure whatever crevice you have decided to now call home has a police department that does the exact same thing.

  22. There are way too many jaywalkers. It’s obvious the pedestrian didn’t care or she would have stopped. I have almost run over the foolish and idiotic plus lazy people that jaywalk. At night, it’s difficult to see a pedestrian if they’re black and wearing dark clothing to boot. I swear some one out just to win a bet that they made it. With so many people here in the AV that walk, it’s not easy for driver’s. Hope the sheriff survives.

  23. What we need is some LASD MC patrol at night citing these idiots who “WILL” not use the crosswalks. I have seen this behavior so many time on Sierra Hwy around the area of avenues I, J and Lancaster BLVD. They most always are wearing dark clothing at night while walking as if they were in a park (not jogging) across Sierra Hwy. If Joe/Jane citizen hits one of these idiots they are in trouble.

  25. Maybe they will finally do something about the Jay walking. I’ve almost hit a few people late at night in poorly lit areas. Its out of hand people crossing the street without care now days as if vehicles don’t exist. I’ve ever had a few walk out in the middle of the day last minute. Then act like I’m suppose to stop on a dime for them. Truthfully I’ve gotten to where I’m truly in fear of hitting someone due to this exact issue.

  26. I’m tired of people Jay walking or walking in the middle of the street just because they can. It’s scary for drivers now. A lot of pedestrians think they got the right of way at all times. So they do whatever they want. It’s unsafe and unfair. Both have to pay attention.

  27. Now they might in force the law on jaywalkers. I bet people wont think walking in the street is the thing to do anymore. I’m sick of people jaywalking .. Dont they realize cars drive at a high speed up here. its not 35 mph like in Los Angeles and you’re lucky if you go that. Up here is 45 to 60 mph and you’re lucky if no one passes you. and to stop on a dime because someone is to lazy to walk to a crosswalk is nonsense. btw people, drivers get distracted looking for a radio station, looking for a lighter ,looking at their phone, they may not see you until it is to late.

    • They do enforce jay walking. I know several people who recently have been cited.

      Glad the officer miss the pedestrian, we run over way to many people here in the Antelope Valley.

  28. Like I said yesterday….wtf!! is goin on in the AV???…..hit & runs and careless and negligent driving by Sheriffs!?…..Now a Sergant?….WOW< hope he was not hurt, or better off…..I HOPE HE Didn't hurt anyone else!!!…..Stupid ASS!!

    • He was not reckless driving. He was responding to a call and the lady was Jay walking. She is lucky he didn’t hit her. Then she just walked away as if he didn’t just crash becausee of her.

    • ^^^ you’ve got to be the dumbest animal out there. If you read the article he swerved to miss the lady who was Jay walking. So how is that his fault or negligence?? If anything he saved her from being ran over. Get your facts straight dumb s$! T!

    • The sergeant was driving correct. It was the female, who was mostly likely high, that was negligent. Stop bashing the good guys!!!! The AV has turned into a community of irresponsible people who refuse to take responsibility for their actions. Shame…… I miss the old days where people worked hard, obeyed the laws and raised their own children, without blaming the government or schools for their failures.

      • Most likely high? Why not make some other ignorant assumptions? was she black? drunk? an amputee? did she have a parrot on her shoulder & an eye patch?

      • I hate it when older teenagers Jay walk across a major intersection like Ave K & when you stop (its the law even if they are wrong from what i hear) They just “mad dog” you.. Like waiting for you to say something so they can start trouble. I live on the Eastside.. Been up here since 1994 I applaud our law enforcement for trying to keep the streets safe but I must say after 2009 or so I have noticed more & more thugs living up here among us.
        Is this because there are alot of investment companies buying houses & renting them out to section 8 citizens (nothing wrong with section 8 citizens at all We are all human beings & i do not mean to offend anyone) I was just curious why so many thugs are coming up to Lancaster in the past 5 years)

        • I agree, too. I come across the idiots all the time, they walk so slow, you want to get out and slap the crap out of them. They give you the death stare…. it’s like they want you to hit them so they can sue you. I honestly think they just love to aggravate us law abiding citizens……stupid jerks.

        • I got that as I was driving N on Sierra Hwy just on Wednesday. They just mosie across the HIGHWAY fearless. Come on Antelope Valley people, J-walking across Sierra Hwy is not the same thing as J-walking across the Blvd or your neighborhood street. F=m*a that’s force = mass * acceleration and that means you loose the standoff between human vs. car. No do-overs. :(

    • MY BAD!!!!….I am a bit embarrassed right now!….I did NOT read the article ENTIRLY before posting my first post!…..I know better than that!! just jumped to conclusions because SO many accidents in the last month which have been a mixture of Pedestrians, hit & runs, DUI’s and YES, even Sheriff car related accidents…..My APPOLOGIES to the Lancaster Sheriff Deputy! this Lady couldn’t hear sirens or see the flashing light??….either way she is stupid ass!! and than don’t even stop??….find her!! LOCK HER up!! or put her in 2 West so she can get put back on her Medications and receive help for her mental issues…..Who would do something like that ?? uless you indeed have mental issues

    • You’re a idiot…the sheriff was avoiding a pedestrian who was jay walking. It’s people like you who need to either mind your own business and get an education. The said thing is the AV is ba place of the welfare, ghetto, trashy, ignorant people who live off the hard working people.

    • You are SO damn IGNORANT! I bet you hate law enforcement as YOU break the law all the time. My brother is a retired LASD Lieutenant of 33 years, and his son is a Deputy of 14 years, and I have total respect for the LASD.

      Let me show you again part of the article. Or, can you even READ! What part did you NOT understand?

      At the time, the field sergeant was “responding Code 3 to an assistance request by a Lancaster Station patrol deputy,” Carrizosa stated.

      While driving south on Sierra Highway, the sergeant saw a pedestrian in the roadway and swerved his patrol car to avoid hitting the pedestrian, according to Carrizosa.

      A witness to the collision said a woman crossing the street caused the crash.

      “This lady was jaywalking across the street, totally oblivious to what was going on…kept walking like nothing happened after he’d crashed the car,” said Janet (who did not give her last name). “He swerved to miss her; [the patrol car] went straight up and it came back down on the roof.”

    • gt, the content of the post you made, is offensive in so many ways. If you want to be taken seriously, you’re going about it the wrong way.