The California Highway Patrol reported heavy hearts that on the Christmas Eve of December 24, 2017, at approximately 11:32 PM, a member of the CHP – Golden Gate Division, Hayward Area Office, Officer Andrew Camilleri, #21653 gave his life in sacrifice for the community in which he served.
Officer Camilleri and Officer Jonathan Velasquez #21318 were stopped in their patrol vehicle within the reverse gore of the Winton Avenue onramp to I-880 southbound. An errant driver, traveling at a high rate of speed, drifted off the road from I-880 and struck the right rear of the patrol vehicle.
Both officers suffered injuries in the collision. Officer Camilleri was transported to St. Rose Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
CHP Assistant Chief Ernest Sanchez said during the press conference that the alleged driver of the Cadillac was a 22-year-old Hayward man.
“The two were hit by a person who chose to be irresponsible. This person, a 22-year-old from Hayward, chose to drive while under the influence of alcohol and also drug. This needs to stop. We have enough evidence and enough statements that have been made today to allow us to charge this individual when he gets out of the hospital with some very serious felony charges,” said Sanchez.
Officer Velasquez was treated at a hospital and released.
Sanchez said the name of the alleged driver of the Cadillac, a 22-year-old Hayward man, is not being released at this time. He is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and marijuana and is in serious condition at a hospital.
CHP officials said the suspect was coming home from a party with “too much to drink and too much to smoke”. Marijuana is suspected.
Officer Camilleri (33) began his career with the California Highway Patrol on August 27, 2016 (1-year, 4 months). He is survived by his wife, daughter, sons, parents, brother, and sister. We offer our thoughts and prayers to his family, friends, and colleagues as we collectively mourn this heartbreaking tragedy.
FUNDRAISER WILL BE ESTABLISHED FOR FALLEN OFFICER’S FAMILY BY CAHP CREDIT UNION
We have receive several inquiries regarding where people can donate money to Officer Andrew Camilleri’s family. In an effort to help well wishers steer clear of fraudulent donation sites and the grieving family avoid excessive administrative fees, the California Association of Highway Patrolmen (CAHP) Credit Union will be setting up a benevolence fund for Officer Camilleri’s family.
Additionally, 100% of all donations made will go directly to the Officer Camilleri’s immediate family.
This account should be available for donations by tomorrow afternoon, at which time we will post a link to the fundraising site on this page.
Governor Brown Issues Statement on Death of CHP Officer
SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued the following statement regarding the death of California Highway Patrol (CHP) Officer Andrew J. Camilleri Sr.:
“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.”
Officer Camilleri, 33, of Tracy, died Sunday night after his stopped patrol vehicle was struck by a suspected impaired driver on the Winton Avenue on-ramp to southbound Interstate 880 in Hayward.
Officer Camilleri graduated from the CHP Academy in March 2017 and was assigned to the Hayward Area Office.
Officer Camilleri is survived by his wife, Rosanna; a daughter and two sons, ages 12, 6 and 2; and his parents, brother and sister.
In honor of Officer Camilleri, Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff.
11 comments
Prayers to the officers family! These drunk drivers need to be punished severly, I hope the drivers life gets ruined going to prison.
How awful! So sorry for the officer’s loved ones! So, this idiot driver was blasted on booze and pot? Now, that pot will be “legal” … you can expect more such tragedies! Look at what’s happening in Colorado and Washington state! The voters who brought this in must all have been stoners.
Actually Lola the American Journal of Public Health just published their study this year stating there’s no significant correlation between states with marijuana legalization, like Colorado and Washington, and traffic accident fatalities. Nice try with the fear mongering though.
Source:
http://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/abs/10.2105/AJPH.2017.303848
I have absolutely no respect for the publishers of the American Journal of Public Health. I have a graduate degree from the UCLA School of Public Health, so I am very much aware how pot works. Colorado is experiencing a 25% increase in vehicle fatalities and also children ingesting edible marijuana. The ER’s are busy. Automobile crashes have increased in both Colorado and Washington states. Stoners are the ones who are bringing this upon us.
So you have zero respect for a publicly funded entity of fellow public health experts but won’t say why? The reasons you give can be prevented; as with children, that’s the parents discretion as the child can ingest bleach or windex just as easy if not child-proofed. For ER visits, that’s laughable because people just can’t handle it; overdoses in common in over-the-counter meds as well but are still legal and readily available. Of course it is a psychoactive substance, but it’s not just “stoners” who use it.
Millions of people worldwide smoke cannabis already regardless of legalities and don’t end up pummeling into CHP cars.
Millions of cannabis smokers worldwide may not own cars.
Very sad and tragic. Prayers.
Can only that The Donald will have a BIG surprise for Ca. Potheads: Federal Law!
Can only hope that the Feds will have a surprise for Ca. potheads.
DOJ has now stated that they will go after the states where marijuana is now “legal.” The federal laws trump the state laws. Let’s hope the DOJ runs the stoners little short-lived joy into the ground!
I see another marijuana-related crash occurred at I-242 and I-4 earlier today……. January 6th. The marijuana-impaired driver was going at 100 mph. A friend of mine, who was riding his motorcycle saw the whole thing unfold.
Comments are closed.