ANCHORAGE - A collision near the intersection of O'Malley Road and Lake Otis Parkway on Friday morning sent a police officer to the hospital.
Officer Nelson Price was behind the wheel, responding to a car crash on the Old Seward Highway.
The police report said the officer was traveling with flashing light and sirens headed east. They say most eastbound travelers were slowing down and pulling over, but one vehicle lost control and slid sideways into the left lane.
The front of the officer's car was smashed. He was rushed to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police are still investigating the crash and no charges have been pressed. An event like this raises the question: What exactly are you supposed to do when you see the flashing lights and hear the sirens?
Anchorage Police Department Engineer, Jon Sheffrey, says pull over to the right and stop or slow down, but people don't always do that. He says he's seen panic and do things like stop right in front of the fire truck. He says sometimes traffic is a challenge to navigate to the side, but it's important its done safely, "we're pretty patient and we understand. We're not going to be pushing through traffic, we're going to slow down."
He said those few minutes could be life or death. "The sooner we get there, the better for everyone."
