CHP officer dies after medical incident leads to single-car line-of-duty crash
An officer with the California Highway Patrol died Wednesday after suffering from a medical emergency following an arrest in Culver City, authorities said, leading to a single-car crash.
CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee announced during a news conference that Officer Miguel Cano, 34, of Moreno Valley, was pronounced dead at about 1:40 a.m. His cause of death is still unclear as of Wednesday morning.
"We do not think the crash was consistent with fatal injuries," Duryee said.
Duryee said he and his partner arrested a person on suspicion of DUI and were transporting them when Cano told his partner that he wasn't feeling well. His partner responded by saying that he didn't look well, and Cano lost consciousness soon after.
After losing consciousness, Cano crashed the vehicle carrying his partner and the suspect into a tree, Duryee confirmed.
At the scene, first responders administered Narcan on Cano as a precaution, Duryee said. He added that it's not believed that Cano's death was related to potential exposure to drugs.
A firearm, a substance that appeared to be cocaine and drug paraphernalia were found in the suspect's vehicle after the arrest.
No additional information relating to Cano's death was immediately made available.
Duryee said Cano was married and was with the CHP for two years, having graduated from the academy in the fall of 2023.
"This young man, he's a hero," Druyee said. "He's out there doing what we ask these officers to do."
In a statement, Gov. Gavin Newsom extended his condolences to Cano's wife and family.
"Though early in his public safety career, Officer Cano already embodied the best of the Golden State with his courage, commitment, and a deep sense of duty," Newsom said. "The state will never forget his service."
The Culver City Police Department said the crash occurred at about 12:30 a.m. in the area of Green Valley Circle and Bristol Parkway. The CHP initially described the incident as a single-car crash that injured three. The other two, including Cano's partner, suffered minor injuries.
Images from the scene show an SUV with CHP markings with damage to the front. The SUV was off of the main road and on a dirt patch near several trees; it wasn't clear as of 6 a.m. whether the vehicle collided with a tree.
to avoid the area between Green Valley Circle to Uplander Way as investigations played out. All roads were reopened by 10 a.m.
