Fairfield, CA – CHP Officer Kirk Griess, Citizen Jamie Manuel Killed in Crash
Fairfield, CA (August 10, 2018) – In a terrible tragedy Friday morning, a CHP officer and another person were killed in a traffic accident on Highway 80.
Officer Kirk Griess stopped a Saturn SUV in the westbound lanes of the highway. As Officer Griess conducted the traffic stop, a Chevrolet pickup swerved out of its lane, striking the Saturn, as well as Griess and Jamie Manuel. Manuel was operating the Saturn prior to the traffic stop.
Both Manuel, 49, as well as Griess, 46, died as a result of injuries suffered in the collision. Griess was an 19 year veteran of the California Highway Patrol. The driver of the pickup truck was hospitalized with unknown injuries.
An investigation into the crash is ongoing. It remains unclear why the pickup swerved out of its lane. No further details are available.
Deadly Accident in Southern California
We are saddened to hear of this tragic crash. Traffic stops are some of the most dangerous activities for law enforcement officers for a variety of reasons. Officers working on the highway in our state put themselves at risk on a daily basis in order to do their job and it is disheartening when an officer dies in the line of duty.
Further investigation into this crash will be needed to determine the cause. At this time, there are many unanswered questions. While it appears as though the pickup certainly caused the crash, we do not know why. Investigating officers must determine if the driver was distracted, impaired, or some other reason which caused the truck to swerve from its travel lane.
As the investigation concludes, the families of the victims could bring a wrongful death lawsuit against the truck driver. At the Los Angeles Injury Group, our Southern California wrongful death attorneys help families whose loved ones have been killed due to someone else’s negligence.
If we can help you with a Los Angeles wrongful death accident, call us today at 310-954-7248.
