Policeman Hits Post In Freak Accident

A Metropolitan Police officer was hospitalized briefly last night after his car careened out of control and knocked over a lamp post near the Business School.

Patrolman Michael Saclese was driving west on Soldiers Field Road when the rear axle of his car broke and the left rear wheel fell off, causing the car to spin backwards into a lamp post near the Weeks footbridge.

No other cars were involved in the accident, and no one else was injured, according to officials. Saclese was alone in his car.

Still conscious when he was taken to the emergency ward of St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Brighton, Saclese suffered neck and back injuries. He was treated and released a few hours later.

Sgt. John Melia said that this was the first accident caused by a Metropolitan patrol car's wheel falling off.