L.A.P.D. officer injured during drug probe

**PapaBear** · 11-20-07, 06:30 PM

Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
LAPD investigator Dan Kimble, left, and criminalist Srinivasan Rathinam examine the scene in Boyle Heights where an undercover narcotics officer apparently was struck by a suspect's car. The car behind them is a police vehicle.

An undercover Los Angeles police officer was seriously injured this morning when he was apparently run over by a suspect during a narcotics investigation in Boyle Heights, authorities said.

The officer, identified by colleagues as Tony Salazar, suffered two broken legs and head trauma and was taken to County USC Medical Center, authorities said. He was listed in serious condition.

Three officers were involved in the incident, which occurred about 8:30 a.m. near the intersection of East 4th Street and Dacotah Street, said Capt. Rigo Romero. At least one officer fired his weapon at the suspect's car during the confrontation, he said.

By Andrew Blankstein and Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
12:58 PM PST, November 20, 2007

It was unclear whether the suspect, who fled the scene and remained at large, was armed, Romero said. His vehicle was described as a white Mazda 626.

The suspect is likely to face charges of attempted murder on a police officer, Romero said.

Nearby First Street Elementary School was involved in the investigation, but Romero would not elaborate other than to say students there were safe.

andrew.blankstein@latimes.com

richard.winton@latimes.com