CHP Officer Killed In Culver City Crash: Report

CULVER CITY, CA — A California Highway Patrol officer died after suffering a medical emergency and crashing the SUV he was driving into a tree in Culver City early Wednesday morning.

The crash occurred at around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday at Bristol Parkway near Green Valley Circle as the officers were taking a DUI and drug possession suspect to jail, according to CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee.

The pair had arrested the man after finding "a large quantity" of what they believed to be cocaine. The officer who was driving — Miguel Cano, 34 — told his partner that he did not feel well, Duryee said at a news conference.

The officer told Cano he looked unwell. Moments later the cruiser went off the road, according to authorities.

Cano was transported to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center by Culver City Fire Department paramedics. He was later pronounced dead.

The second officer sustained a minor injury and was treated at the scene. The suspect was also transported to a hospital.

The crash occurred just a couple of blocks from the CHP's West Los Angeles office where the suspect was being taken.

Officers began to gather at the scene around 9 a.m. to mourn their fallen colleague, Fox 11 reported. Cano lived in Moreno Valley and was married, Duryee said.

Bristol Parkway was closed in both directions from Green Valley Circle to Uplander Way until around 9:25 a.m., the Culver City Police Department announced.

This is the second Southland police officer to be killed in a crash in recent weeks.

Los Angeles Police Department Sgt. Shiou Deng was struck and killed on the 405 Freeway last week while assisting a disabled motorist.