CAR ACCIDENT: 18-Year-Old Driver Fatally Struck a CHP Officer on I-15
June 27, 2010
Barstow – An 18-year-old driver was arrested and is currently under investigation for vehicular manslaughter after he fatally struck a CHP officer in Interstate 15 last Sunday.
Officer Justin McGrory was fatally struck at about 3:38 am after pulling over another vehicle for speeding, CHP said in a press release.
According to the CHP, the young driver, who was identified as Rafael Garcia of Las Vegas, was travelling aboard a 2009 Pontiac G6 on the northbound lane of the I-15 when he clipped the right rear of the CHP patrol Car and hit Officer McGrory.
McGrory was airlifted to St. Mary’s Hospital where he was later pronounced dead; his partner, Officer Ryan Bostrom, did not sustain any injury from the incident.
Garcia was arrested after stopping his vehicle a short distance from the accident scene.
McGrory has been a CHP officer since 2007 and left behind a wife, a 7-year-old daughter and 2 sons, ages 4 and 1 respectively.
In a statement, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife extended their thoughts and prayers to the Mcgrory family, describing the officer as selfless, dedicated and committed his life to protecting the safety of all Californians.
Schwarzenegger also ordered the Capitol flags to be flown in half mast in memory and respect to Officer McGrory.
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