Deputies Injured After Being Rear-Ended by Suspected Drunk Driver on PCH

Two Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's Station deputies were hospitalized early Saturday morning after a suspected drunk driver rear-ended their vehicle on the 19400 block of Pacific Coast Highway near Las Tunas Beach in Malibu, according to the sheriff's station.

Both deputies were taken to the hospital following the incident that happened at about 12:50 a.m., said Lt. Josh Thai of the sheriff's station.

Deputy James Millage will remain in the hospital for further evaluation of injuries to his lower back. Deputy Jeffrey Miner was released after receiving treatment for severe bruising to his shoulders and collarbone. Neither officer received life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the other vehicle, 44-year Mark Liebrecht of Woodland Hills, was also hospitalized. He was later booked at the sheriff's station on suspicion of felony drunk driving, Sgt. Stephanie Shrout said. It is a felony because the officers were injured.

After doing routine patrol of the beach Saturday, the deputies got back into their vehicle, which was parked on the eastbound side of PCH, Thai said. Moments later, Woodland's grey BMW struck the deputies' vehicle from behind, according to a press release from the LA County Sheriff's Department.

"The crash launched the officers' vehicle onto the rock embankment on the ocean side," Thai said. "The car rolled over several times and they had a hard time getting out."

The vehicle landed upright. A crew from the Los Angeles County Fire Department rescued the officers.

Patch will have more information on this story as it becomes available.

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