LBPD officer seriously injured in crash

A Long Beach police officer was seriously injured in a collision early Monday morning when his vehicle was struck while responding to an emergency call.

At 12:30 a.m. on June 23, a marked LBPD sport utility vehicle traveling westbound on Broadway was struck by a car that ran a red light while turning north onto Edwards Boulevard, police said.

Officer Lucas Dikranis's car hit a pole at the northwest corner of the intersection, and the vehicle's air bags deployed. LBPD spokesman Lt. Mark Stark said that Dikranis had to use his knife to cut himself free. He sustained significant injuries, including multiple contusions and broken legs and hands. He was transported to Nassau University Medical Center by the Long Beach Fire Department.

Stark said that the Dikranis, who was the only person in the vehicle, will likely need surgery for a compound fracture in his leg.

Stark said that the Police Department notified the Nassau County crime scene unit and highway bureau to investigate the accident, to avoid any conflicts of interest.

The driver of the other vehicle, a Mercedes sedan, was coming from an event at the Allegria Hotel, though Stark said that the man did not drink and passed a sobriety test. Stark said that there were either four or five people in the car, and none were injured. The driver was issued a summons for running a red light.