Investigator: California cop who hit woman pulled her out of traffic

LOS ANGELES - An investigator says a California Highway Patrol officer videotaped repeatedly punching a woman on the side of a Los Angeles freeway had just pulled her from oncoming traffic and she pushed him.

The CHP investigator outlined the July incident in a request to search 51-year-old Marlene Pinnock's medical records.

Court documents say Pinnock kicked her legs and grabbed the officer's uniform while he struck her head several times with his fist.

The investigator says Pinnock suffered no signs of physical injury. Her attorney, Caree Harper, says Pinnock had a bloody nose, black eyes, bruises and scratches.

Pinnock has filed a federal lawsuit alleging civil rights violations, excessive force, assault, battery and a violation of due-process rights.

The CHP has forwarded its excessive force investigation to prosecutors for potentially serious charges.