CHP officer badly injured in crash

<p>A CHP motorcycle officer reportedly was rushed by helicopter to a local hospital and a stretch of roadway was closed after a major accident occurred on Lakeville Highway, between Frates Road and Browns Lane, at around 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday.</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p>Preliminary information indicates that the accident involved a vehicle and the motorcycle, said Lt. Mike Cook of the Petaluma Police Department.</p><p>Other people were injured in the accident, but at this point, it is not clear how many, what their injuries are and how serious they are, he said.</p><p>After the accident, Lakeville Highway was closed between Frates Road and Browns Lane. Westbound traffic was diverted at Browns Lane and eastbound vehicles were diverted at Frates Road.</p><p>Drivers were strongly advised to avoid Lakeville Highway and to use alternative routes due to heavy traffic, Cook said. He estimated that the stretch of Lakeville Highway would be closed until at least 2:45 p.m.</p><p>Petaluma police and CHP officers are investigating the crash, and more information will be released when it becomes available, Cook said.</p>