A California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer with a long history of community service, was struck by a suspected DUI driver while he was directing traffic earlier this month.
The Siskiyou Daily reported that on October 18th that Officer David Gordon of the Yuba-Sutter Division of the California Highway Patrol was directing traffic at a malfunctioning traffic signal when he was struck by an SUV traveling at a high rate of speed Saturday morning at approximately 1:11 a.m. in Live Oak.
Gordon was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. A statement issued by the CHP on their Facebook page indicated that Officer Gordon has already undergone surgery, which lasted for several hours to repair broken bones, a pelvis broken in several places, and removal of his spleen. He is due for additional surgeries, and it is expected that it will take him a long time to recover.
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Authorities say that the driver of the SUV has been identified as Lucas Julian Nelson, 21, who is a student at Chico State University. Nelson was arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. He was booked into the Sutter County Jail with bail set at $50,000. Bond was posted for Nelson, and he has been released.
Yreka native, CHP Officer Gordon has been repeatedly by Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) for his outstanding law enforcement work in the detection DUI drivers and the number of arrests he has made of potential drunk drivers. In addition, last year, Officer Gordon was also nominated by his peers for the Yuba-Sutter Area’s Peace Officer of the Year award.
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