Dade City, FL : Temple Terrace police officer injured in wrong-way crash in Dade City on Tuesday, March 22, 2016

A Temple Terrace police officer suffered minor injuries Tuesday after his patrol vehicle was struck head on by a wrong-way driver, authorities said.

Officer William Dittman was on his way home from a firearms training crash in Lakeland when he attempted to turn west onto Clinton Avenue from U.S. 301, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. As Dittman made the turn, his marked Chevy Tahoe collided nearly head-on with Hyundai Sonata that had turned from Fort King Road onto Clifton Avenue and was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes, troopers said.

The force of the impact spun the Tahoe, which then collided with a Honda Civic that had also turned onto Clinton Avenue.

Just before the crash, Dittman turned on his emergency lights to alert other drivers and then rendered aid at the scene despite his own minor injuries, according to the Temple Terrace Police Department.

Dittman, 31, was treated and released at St. Joseph's Hospital. The Hyundai driver, 63-year-old Louise Valentine, was flown to Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point with serious injuries. The driver of the Civic, 20-year-old Charity Chagro of Dade City, was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Troopers said alcohol was not a factor in the crash.

Source :
Temple Terrace police officer injured in wrong-way crash in Dade City