2 Durham police officers and deputy hurt in Durham County crash

DURHAM COUNTY (WTVD) -- Two Durham police officers and a Durham County deputy were hurt Tuesday afternoon in a crash in the area of South Lowell Road and Vista Del Rio Drive in northern Durham County.

It happened just after 3 p.m.

The Sheriff's Office said the three injured law officers were participating in a funeral escort shortly before the incident. Immediately after providing the funeral escort, the officers went to South Lowell Road to practice their formations, the sheriff's office said.

Pictures from Chopper 11 HD showed at three motorcycles off in a field next to South Lowell with paramedics and other emergency workers clustered around.

The Highway Patrol said Tuesday evening that Paul Aiken, a Durham County deputy, lost control of his motorcycle, went off the northbound shoulder, and struck a ditch.

As a result, the two Durham police officers traveling with Aiken, also lost control of their motorcycles.

Officer Larry Cox also went off the northbound shoulder, struck a ditch, and overturned. Officer Francisco DeVera-Rodriguez,went off the shoulder, struck a utility pole support wire, and overturned.

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All three were taken to Duke Medical Center. Aiken and Cox suffered only minor injuries, the Highway Patrol said Rodriguez sustained serious but non-life threatening injuries.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation.