Officer injured trying to avoid collision with man driving on suspended license

JURUPA VALLEY (Wire Service) - A police officer was injured when he put his motorcycle down to avoid colliding with a vehicle driven by a 43-year-old man with a suspended license and no proof of insurance, sheriff's officials said.

The crash occurred around 4:10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 28 on Pyrite Street near the Pomona (60) Freeway in the

unincorporated Rubidoux area of Jurupa Valley, said Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. William Davis.

Witnesses said Alfonso Ortiz of Moreno Valley was driving south on Pyrite and the officer was headed in the opposite direction when Ortiz made a left turn in front of the officer, Davis said.

The officer put the bike on the ground to avoid a collision and suffered minor injuries, according to Davis, who said the officer was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Ortiz was cited for driving with a suspended license and not carrying proof of insurance, Davis said.

Investigators did not disclose which police department the officer works for.