Brutal Video Surfaces of California Highway Patrol Officer Beating Woman Alongside Freeway in L.A.

The California Highway Patrol are investigating a video that has surfaced of a Highway Patrolman straddled over a woman as he brutally beats and punches her alongside the freeway.

According to CHP Assistant Chief Chris O'Quinn, who spoke at a news conference, the woman in the video had been walking on Interstate 10 on Tuesday, west of downtown Los Angeles, while endangering herself and other people in traffic.

The officer in the video was "trying to restrain her," according to O'Quinn.

On the video, it appears that the woman is running from officer. After he catches up to her, he wrestles her to the ground and repeatedly punches her in the head. 

The tone of the person behind the camera, David Diaz, can be heard changing from amusement to horror as the incident escalates. Diaz stated that the woman appeared to take about 15 blows to her head during the scuffle. 

A passing driver saw the incident and provided proof to media outlets, who reported on the issue. The officer has now been put on administrative leave while the investigation is pending. They have not identified the officer.

The woman, who has also not been named, is undergoing a psychiatric evaluation and reportedly has no injuries, according to the incident report.

O'Quinn stated that the officer was answering a report of a pedestrian on the freeway, and when he found the woman, she started walking down an off-ramp and then turned around. She then walked back onto the freeway and began wandering into lanes, which led him to take the actions captured on the video.

The video "only shows a small part of what transpired," according to O'Quinn.