ALHAMBRA (CNS) – A 28-year-old police officer and a woman were killed and two others injured Thursday in a high-speed two-vehicle crash during a chase in Alhambra.
Officers responded to the area of Valley Boulevard and Fremont Avenue around 3 a.m. Thursday regarding a pursuit, according to police. It was unclear where the chase began and how long it lasted.
During the pursuit, an Alhambra police SUV and another vehicle collided, leaving the cruiser severely damaged with airbags deployed. Video from the scene showed the officer appearing to be unconscious as he was taken in critical condition to Los Angeles General Medical Center, where he later died.
Alhambra Police Chief Garrett Kennedy said Officer Alec Sanders had been with the APD for eight months, having been sworn in at a ceremony only recently. He previously worked for about a year with the Long Beach Police Department.
A passenger in the other vehicle involved in the collision was also killed, Kennedy said. The woman died at the scene. Reports from the site of the crash indicated she had been ejected from the vehicle. It was unclear if she had been wearing a safety belt.
Two other men in that vehicle were injured — a second passenger suffered major injuries and was taken to a hospital, while the driver sustained moderate injuries and was being questioned.
Video from the scene showed the two vehicles sustained significant damage as a result of the collision. Police did not immediately announce the reason for the chase.
Kennedy said that Sanders had gone to work Wednesday night to cover a shift for somebody else. The chief said he is survived by a fiancée, two younger sisters and a brother, and would be “remembered for his dedication, his kindness and positive impact he had on everyone.”
“He’s known for his unwavering reliability,” Kennedy said. “He was the type of officer who responded to every call, whether he was dispatched to it or not. He was just one of those officers. He was passionate about fitness, and he could often be found working out — a habit that was reflected in his discipline, both on and off the job. His intelligence, work ethic and steady presence made him a respected partner and a friend.”
Kennedy said Sanders enjoyed traveling and was a passionate Dallas Cowboys fan.
California Highway Patrol Officer Elizabeth Kravig told City News Service the CHP was assisting in the investigation with Alhambra police, who were working with the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office with the investigation.
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