Deputy's Vehicle in Collision While En Route to Call

By City News Service

California Highway Patrol officers on Tuesday were questioning witnesses to a crash between an Orange County sheriff's deputy and another car in Rancho Santa Margarita.

Three sheriff's patrol cars were eastbound on Avenida De Las Banderas with the lights and sirens activated on Monday, about 7:54 p.m., when one of the vehicles collided with a Toyota Avalon southbound on Avenida Empresa, said California Highway Patrol Officer Aaron Rothberg.

The Avalon's driver fled the scene and the car was found abandoned a short distance away, Rothberg said. The driver later called police and said another driver struck her car, Rothberg said.

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"We're looking at felony hit and run," because the passenger in the Avalon's car complained of pain and was taken to a hospital, Rothberg said.

The deputy was unhurt. No one has been cited or arrested and the investigation continues, Rothberg said.