SACRAMENTO, Calif — Update: 9:30 a.m.
The California Highway Patrol officer, who was injured while crashing his motorcycle into the back of a van on Highway 99 Friday morning is going to be okay, according to CHP Valley Division.
The department tweeted out a photos of the crash with the message "So grateful for the outpouring of support from allied agencies and the community!"
UPDATE 8:20 a.m.
The California Highway Patrol officer who was injured after crashing his motorcycle into the back of a car on Highway 99 Friday morning was "conscious and talking" before going to the hospital with major injuries, an official confirmed.
CHP officer James Young told ABC10 that the injured officer was driving in the fast lane on northbound Highway 99 near 47th Avenue when he tried to pass another car by merging into the No. 2 lane. The motorcycle officer then rear-ended a car that was slowing down because of morning traffic.
The officer was ejected from his motorcycle, and the bike was struck by another car.
“When you’re driving a motorcycle, you just don’t have the protection," Young said. "They’re very high trained — all of our moto officer are very high trained, but at the same time, with motorcycles, you just never know.”
Young said the officer was conscious and talking to other officers before being taken to the hospital with major injuries. No one else was injured in the crash.
"We're hoping to hear good news soon," Young said.
CHP officials closed down three of five lanes on northbound Highway 99, and traffic is backed up as far as Mack Road. It's unclear how long lanes will be closed, but Young said they're "hoping to have it wrapped up in the next hour or two hours."
ORIGINAL:
A California Highway Patrol motorcycle officer was injured Friday morning after colliding with a car on Highway 99 in south Sacramento, officials confirmed to ABC10.
The officer crashed into a sedan around 6:20 a.m. on northbound Highway 99 near the 47th Avenue exit. It's unclear how serious the officer's injuries are.
CHP officials have closed all but two northbound lanes at 47th Avenue, and suggest drivers take Interstate 5 as an alternative. Traffic is expected to be backed up for miles, likely into the late afternoon as CHP as clears the scene.
This is a breaking news story. Stay with ABC10 for more information.
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