By admin 
IRWINDALE, Calif. (KABC) — An Irwindale police officer narrowly avoided serious injury when a pickup truck crashed into a patrol vehicle during a traffic stop on the 605 Freeway, according to police.
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The crash occurred around 4 a.m. July 23 on the southbound 605 Freeway after an officer stopped a driver for speeding. Both vehicles were pulled over on the side of the freeway.
“The officer contacted the driver and had returned to his patrol car,” police said. “As he was writing a citation, his patrol car was struck by a pickup truck. The force of the collision pushed the patrol car forward and it collided with the stopped motorist’s vehicle.”
Video released by police captured the moment of impact as the officer was writing the citation. Footage shows debris flying through the air after the pickup truck slammed into the patrol vehicle.
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A photo released by police shows severe damage to the rear of the patrol car.
The officer suffered minor cuts to his face from flying glass and returned to duty the following night, police said. The driver of the stopped vehicle reported head and neck pain.
Police said the driver of the pickup truck was not injured. The driver claimed he fell asleep at the wheel, according to police.
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“If you’re tired, don’t drive. Pull over. Rest. Arrive safely,” police said. “A few seconds of sleep behind the wheel can change everything.”
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