PPD officer injured, cruiser damaged by drunk driver
An apparently intoxicated driver caused significant damage to a Porterville Police Department vehicle, injuring himself and a PPD officer during a collision Monday.
Keo Malavone, a 49-year-old Porterville resident, turned out into the path of the officer causing a collision between the two vehicles.
On Monday at 11 p.m., an on-duty officer with the Porterville Police Department was assigned to a D.U.I enforcement detail travelling westbound on Olive Avenue near Porter Road.
As the officer neared the area of Olive Avenue and Porter Road, a 2005 Acura TL, which was travelling eastbound on Olive Avenue, made a northbound turn into the oncoming path of the officer’s 2017 Dodge Charger police unit.
The officer attempted to avoid the vehicle, but was unable do so and the vehicle collided into the officer. As a result of the collision, both vehicles sustained major damage.
Both the officer and the driver of the other vehicle sustained injuries and were transported to the local hospital.
In accordance with Porterville Police Department policy, the California Highway Patrol was requested to the scene to conduct a traffic collision investigation. During the course of the investigation Malavone was found to be displaying signs and symptoms of intoxication.
Malavone had major injuries and was transported to Kaweah Delta Medical Center, where he was listed in critical condition.
The police officer, whose name is being withheld at this time, was transported to Sierra View Medical Center, where he was treated for a possible broken wrist, possible broken ankle, neck pain, and back pain. The officer was later released from the hospital pending further treatment of his injuries.
This case remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol. Anyone with information regarding this collision is asked to contact the California Highway Patrol at (559) 784-7444 or the Porterville Police Department at (559) 782-7400.