Officer hurt in motorcycle crash that snarled traffic on Hwy. 101 in Petaluma

A Novato police officer on a motorcycle was injured in a two-vehicle crash Thursday morning on Highway 101 in Petaluma, prompting an investigation that stopped southbound traffic for nearly a half hour during morning commute, CHP officials said.

The crash occurred at about 6:40 a.m. north of the East Washington Street overpass in the southbound lanes, Officer Greg Zumstein said.

A Santa Rosa driver in a Scion appeared to have side-swiped the motorcycle officer while changing lanes, according to preliminary findings, Zumstein said.

The officer was thrown from the bike, but only received what appeared to be minor injuries, Zumstein said. The officer was taken to Petaluma Valley Hospital.

The Scion driver was identified as Jose Rivera, a Santa Rosa resident in his 40s. Zumstein declined to provide the officer’s name because the officer was on duty at the time of the crash, he said.

Officers shut down the highway for about 20 minutes following the crash, causing major backups that stretched for miles.

You can reach Staff Writer Julie Johnson at 521-5220 or julie.johnson@pressdemocrat.com.

On Twitter @jjpressdem.