A California Highway Patrol officer is expected to recover after his patrol car flipped and collided with a power pole in Watsonville on Tuesday night, sparing a nearby propane tank from a potentially catastrophic impact.
The incident happened at approximately 7:45 p.m. near the intersection of Hall and Willow Roads, in front of Las Lomas Market, as the officer was responding to an emergency call.
Surveillance footage shows the patrol vehicle speeding past another vehicle exiting a side street before narrowly missing both the vehicle and a propane tank, then crashing near a power pole. Eyewitnesses suggested the patrol car was traveling over 80 mph.
Local residents have long described the intersection as a dangerous blind spot, with calls for improved lighting and safety measures.
