Officer hospitalized after two Roseville police cars collide

Two Roseville police officers were driving separately to a bank robbery Wednesday afternoon when one apparently turned in front of the other, causing a collision that flipped one of their cars onto its roof and sent its driver to the hospital.

The injured officer, Sgt. Greg Levendoski, was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center where he was listed in satisfactory condition by late afternoon, according to Roseville Police Chief Rick Mathwig. The other officer, Lt. Lorne Rosand, was not injured.

The crash happened about 12:17 p.m. on County Road B2 just west of Fairview Avenue near the Rosedale mall. State Patrol Capt. Matt Langer said preliminary evidence shows that both squads were westbound on County Road B2, each in its own lane. The unmarked car being driven by Rosand in the left lane apparently turned in front of the car driven by Levendoski in the right lane. The collision caused Levendoski's car to flip onto its roof.

Levendoski, who had to be extricated, is expected to be released from HCMC by Thursday. Both officers were wearing seat belts.

Ramsey County sheriff's spokesman Randy Gustafson said they were responding to a report of a robbery at InterBank's Roseville branch when they collided a block east of the bank.

Levendoski has been on the Roseville force for 23 years and Rosand, 27 years. Both vehicles were totaled.

CHAO XIONG AND PAUL WALSH