Three police officers attached to the Traffic and Highway Patrol Branch were injured on Thursday night following a collision involving a marked police vehicle and a private pickup along the Western Main Road in Cocorite.

The incident occurred at approximately 10:25 p.m. when officers were in the process of conducting a traffic stop.

According to police reports, Cpl Chinapoo, along with WPC Blake and PC Joseph, were travelling eastbound in a patrol car. The officers were in the centre lane when they observed a driver of a vehicle using a mobile phone while driving, a traffic violation.

The police vehicle proceeded to stop the offending driver, pulling into the left lane and coming to a standstill with hazard lights activated behind the vehicle in question.

While stationary, the police vehicle was struck on its right rear side by a black Nissan Frontier also heading eastbound in the left lan. The driver reportedly told officers he was unable to change lanes due to another vehicle being alongside him. He attempted to maneuver into the centre lane to avoid a full rear-end collision but still made contact with the police vehicle.

The impact caused damage to the police vehicle’s right rear bumper, fender, door, and wheel. The Nissan Frontier sustained damage to the front left wheel and minor scratches to the front left fender.

Chinapoo and Blake sustained head and neck injuries, while PC Joseph suffered chest and arm injuries. All three were taken to the St. James Medical Facility, where they were treated for soft tissue injuries and later discharged. Each officer was granted sick leave to recover.