Updated: Pedestrian Seriously Injured in Collission with LG Patrol Car

A 25-year-old Los Gatos man suffered major injuries in a collision involving a patrol car this morning, a California Highway Patrol officer said.

The collision occurred at about 6 a.m. on westbound state Highway 9 west of state Highway 17, CHP Officer Kevin Bartlett said.

The pedestrian was taken to West Valley Medical Center with major injuries but is expected to survive, he said.

Update: 11:30 a.m., Sept. 12

According to Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Sgt. Kerry Harris, at 5:43 Monday morning, officers were dispatched to the report by a passerby that a person was lying on the side of the roadway, on eastbound Highway 9, west of Highway 17.

The agency's first officer arrived about two minutes later, and was travelling westbound on Highway 9, west of Highway 17, Harris said.

used his spotlight to illuminate the eastbound lanes, looking for the person. "It was at that point that he saw a pedestrian walk into the roadway from the north side of the street. It was, however,  too late to successfully take evasive action, and the  patrol car collided with a pedestrian," Harris said.

Fire and paramedics responded, and transported the pedestrian to VMC, he added. Officer Coddington has not been placed on administrative leave. He's been with the department for four years, Harris said.

The pedestrian exhibited symptoms of alcohol intoxication and was accompanied by Los Gatos-Monte Sereno police personnel to VMC, according to Harris, who added that at the VMC emergency room, the man was conscious and communicating with staff.

As is the procedure for the department, when an agency vehicle is involved in an injury traffic accident, the CHP was asked to conduct the investigation, Harris said.

"It is not known why the pedestrian was in the roadway at that point, as there is no crosswalk at that location. It is not known if the pedestrian who was struck was the person who was laying in the eastbound roadway. No one else was seen in the area, so it is likely that they are one and the same person," Harris said.

Westbound Highway 9 was closed for the investigation from 5:44 a.m. to shortly after 7 a.m., Harris added.

"This will be a lengthy investigation. It won't be available for a while," Bartlett said.

About six CHP officers responded to the scene, Bartlett added. "An officer hitting a pedestrian is rare. It's traumatic for both the officer and the person involved, regardless of how it happens, but officers drive thousands of miles a year and they're out there working 12 to 14 hours a day, it's inevitable that these tragic accidents happen."

Anyone who witnessed the accident should contact the CHP San Jose office at 408-467-5400.

—Bay City News Service contributed to this report