SAN DIEGO -- A patrolwoman's quick reflexes allowed her to avoid serious injury Thursday when a taxi plowed into her stationary cruiser on State Route 163 in Hillcrest as she was aiding the driver of a broken-down car.

The San Diego police officer came upon the disabled vehicle while heading south near Washington Street about 11:15 a.m., SDPD Sgt. Ray Battrick said.

She activated her emergency lights, pulled to a stop to the rear of the immobilized car in the left-hand lane of the freeway and got out to help the stranded motorist, Battrick said.

Moments later, she saw the cab heading straight at her and jumped back into her cruiser just before it was struck and shoved into the vehicle in front of it.

Medics took the policewoman to a hospital for evaluation of minor injuries. No one else was hurt in the crash, the sergeant said.

Authorities shut down the southbound side of the freeway between the accident site and Interstate 8 in Mission Valley to allow for investigation and cleanup.

The closure left traffic heavily congested along a stretch of SR-163 for miles to the north into the early afternoon, according to the California Highway Patrol.