Police officer crashes en route to crime scene

BENTON HARBOR, Mi. -- A police officer with the Benton Harbor Police Department crashed when responding to a priority call.

The officer collided with another vehicle while on his way to the call of an assault in progress at approximately 9 a.m.

According to officials the officer was driving west-bound on E. Britain Ave., when another vehicle turned left onto Columbus Ave., striking and causing the patrol vehicle to crash.

The patrol vehicle hit a utility pole, rolled several times and came to rest in a vacant lot.

The Officer had to be removed from his vehicle by the “jaws of life” tool, utilized by fellow officers.

The officer was still transported to Lakeland Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

The operator of the other vehicle involved and his seven passengers did not sustain any injuries according to officials.

This incident is still being investigated by the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Accident Investigation Team.