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The officer behind the wheel of the Crown Victoria CHP patrol vehicle received minor injuries in a March 4 collision that occurred on Highway 126 at Hallock Drive.
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Officer in CHP patrol vehicle receives minor injuries in crash
March 11, 2015
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
When a California Highway Patrol car and a Chevrolet Impala collided in the intersection of Highway 126 and Hallock Road last week Santa Paula Police was assigned the investigation.
Although the CHP Officer had to be transported to an area hospital, no one received serious injuries in the March 4 collision, according SPPD Sgt. Jeremy Watson.
Watson, also the department’s Traffic Investigator, said the collision occurred at approximately 4:34 p.m. when Roy Atalig, 25 of Las Vegas, the driver of the blue, 2008 Chevrolet Impala was traveling eastbound on Highway 126.
Watson said Atalig told investigators, “He was approaching Hallock Drive and claims his mapping system was acting up … he became confused and when he looked up the light was red.”
Although Atalig attempted to stop his vehicle slammed into a CHP Crown Victoria patrol vehicle driven by CHP Officer Tim Putzel, 43.
Putzel had been southbound on Hallock Drive as he attempted to make a left turn onto the highway when his vehicle collided with Atalig’s.
Santa Paula Fire Department personnel including EMTs as well as the SPPD and other CHP units responded to the scene of the accident.
Watson said Putzel complained of pain and was transported to an area hospital. A CHP spokesperson reported that Putzel was treated and released.
Atalig and his three passengers — his wife and two children — were not injured.
Watson said Atalig’s Impala had moderate damage to the left side of his vehicle but the CHP Patrol car suffered major front-end damage.
It is standard procedure for a law enforcement agency involved in an incident to be investigated by an outside agency to provide an independent overview.
