LA County Deputy Sheriff and Another Person Seriously Injured in Car Crash

November 10, 2008

Covina, Los Angeles - A car crash involving an L.A. sheriff deputy and a horse trainer occurred Saturday at the intersection of Arrow Highway and Sunflower Avenue.

An L.A County Sheriff Deputy reportedly ran a red light while responding to an emergency call of a man carrying a gun and thus ram into the car of the horse trainer.

Arthur Lerille, 72, a horse trainer was driving his 1989 Cadillac and on his way to work at the Santa Anita racetrack when the accident happen. He suffered from head gashes and arm injuries. Lerille is in the intensive care unit of the Pomona Valley Hospital.

His wife, Cindy, said that her husband’s head injuries had resulted in significant memory loss. “He does not remember the crash,” she says.

Lerille will have to go to surgery for the injury he sustained in his left arm but "Everything is going to be OK," his wife said.

Deputy Brian Harper, 39, suffered spinal cord injuries and several broken bones. He is brought to Foothill Presbyterian Hospital where he is receiving treatment for his spinal injury and is apparently going to survive.

"He's fortunate to be moving," said Lt. Roxanna Hart of the San Dimas station.

According to California Highway Patrol Sgt. Miles Ingraham, neither of the men was wearing their seat belts when the accident happened.

Both men are still in the hospital receiving treatment for their injuries.