This item was in Metro CEO’s daily email to staff on Monday. The good news is that the driver is apparently okay, but the incident is, of course, frightening. The Metro Freeway Service Patrol drivers are already working in a dangerous environment by helping stranded motorists along busy roads, and then something like this happens:

FSP  Shooting Incident

The Sheriff’s Department is investigating a shooting incident that took place on Friday, January 22, 2010 at approximately 4:50 p.m. involving one of our contracted Freeway Service Patrol (FSP) drivers who was shot in the back while assisting a motorist on the I-5 South & Atlantic Boulevard.

When the shooting occurred, the driver said he felt a sharp pain in his back, but did not react until he exited the freeway and noticed he was bleeding. He then called FSP dispatch for assistance and was transported to County USC Medical Center for treatment. While at the hospital, doctors discovered that the driver was shot once in the back with a small caliber firearm. Doctors removed the bullet and he was released later that evening.

California Highway Patrol Officers assigned to the FSP program are assisting in the investigation and have increased patrols along this freeway segment. We are also providing full FSP service along this segment of the freeway.