02:57 PM MDT on Thursday, October 6, 2005

KTVB.COM

BOISE -- A Boise Police motorcycle cop was injured this morning while attempting to stop a speeding motorist on Federal Way.

Officer Gary Wiggins suffered a broken wrist in the accident and is currently hospitalized awaiting surgery.

Wiggins was on traffic patrol on Federal Way at Victory Road shortly before 7 a.m. when he saw a vehicle speeding headed eastbound.

As he accelerated to catch up to the car, he slipped a clutch and got distracted. The officer's bike then struck a concrete median, causing the officer and his motorcycle to skid along the roadway about 300 feet.

Thanks go out to several citizens witnessed the accident and stopped to help the officer and called the accident into dispatch that led to a quick emergency response.

Federal Way was closed down for awhile as officers investigated. Meridian Police will investigate the accident, along with a separate Boise Police investigation.

Just last summer, the Boise Police Motors Unit began wearing Joe Rocket brand "utility pants" as part of their regular uniform. The pants are specially designed with very heavy padding for motorcycle riders.

In this case, Officer Wiggins’ pants and helmet were badly damaged, but the safety equipment took the brunt of impact, sparring the officer more serious injuries.

"The helmet and the pants did exactly what they're supposed to do, they protected what's inside," said Sgt. Rich Fuhriman, BPD Motors Unit. "Even expert motorcycle riders can have accidents. That's why safety gear should be essential"

Boise Police say three officers have been injured in traffic accidents during the past year, while just two were injured in the previous year.

This is the first time in three years an accident has resulted in the injury of a Boise Police motors officer.