California Police Officer Dead, Another Injured in DUI Crash

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A California Highway Patrol officer died in a serious car crash on Highway 880 near Hayward, according to reports.

CHP Assistant Chief Ernie Sanchez named the dead officer as 33-year-old Anthony Camilleri Sr., who leaves behind three children and his wife, CBS San Francisco reported.

He was killed late Sunday night when a suspected drunk driver hit his SUV as it was parked on the side of Highway 880. Another CHP officer was injured.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as a 22-year-old man from Hayward, who, according to Sanchez, “had too much to drink and too much to smoke.”

The man was on his way home from a holiday party and was under the influence of marijuana and alcohol, Sanchez stated.

The driver will likely face “very serious felony charges,” officials told KRON-4.

“This is not the way we wanted to celebrate Christmas Day,” Sanchez was quoted as saying. “Today is a tragic day.”

The other officer, Jonathan Velasquez, was hospitalized with major injuries, KRON-4 reported. On Monday, he was still in the hospital.

California Gov. Jerry Brown issued a statement about the crash.

“Anne and I are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of Officer Camilleri, who died yesterday while working to keep our communities safe. We join his family, friends and the entire California Highway Patrol in mourning his death and in honoring his sacrifice,” he said in the statement.

Brown said that Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff to honor Camilleri, who had been working for the CHP for about a year.

Various CHP offices issued statements on the crash.

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