Crime & Safety

Off-Duty LAPD Officer Killed In Solo-Vehicle Crash In Santa Clarita

An off-duty LAPD officer was killed when his Tesla crashed into a utility pole.

SANTA CLARITA, CA — An off-duty LAPD officer was killed when his Tesla crashed into a utility pole in Santa Clarita Saturday, authorities confirmed.

Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel were called to Cinema Drive and Bouquet Canyon Road at 2:15 a.m. Saturday, where they found the vehicle engulfed in flames, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Firefighters put out the flames and pronounced the driver dead at the scene, sheriff's officials said.

Find out what's happening in Los Angelesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Arriving deputies observed the Tesla heavily damaged with live electrical wires hanging from the utility pole.

The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed Saturday afternoon that the victim was a male off-duty police officer, but he was not immediately identified while his family and fellow officers were being notified.

Find out what's happening in Los Angelesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

According to sheriff's officials, a woman was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after she drove through the crash scene, but she was not involved in the earlier accident.

Police said the LASD would investigate the crash. Anyone with information about the accident was encouraged to call the sheriff's Santa Clarita station at 661-260-4000.

— City News Service