Off-duty LAPD officer ID'd as 1 of 2 people killed in Northridge crash; DUI suspect among 3 injured
An off-duty San Bernardino County sheriff's deputy was one of those injured in the crash involving a DUI suspect, police said.
NORTHRIDGE, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- An off-duty Los Angeles police officer was one of two people killed in a crash in Northridge that left three others hospitalized, including an off-duty San Bernardino County sheriff's deputy, authorities said Saturday.
At a news conference held at the L.A. County medical examiner's office, LAPD Chief Michel Moore said Officer Darrell Cunningham Shamily, who went by Officer Cunningham, died in the collision. He had been with the department for just under five years and was last on duty just two nights before the crash.
The collision was reported about 1:15 a.m. at the intersection of West Roscoe Boulevard and Lindley Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Firefighter-paramedics arrived to find a towering gusher after a fire hydrant was sheared by one of the vehicles.
A black BMW sedan ended up wedged between a tree and an apartment building, and three people were extracted by firefighters after being trapped, the Fire Department said.
Cunningham, and two passengers in a white Infiniti were traveling northbound on Lindley Avenue when they were struck by the BMW, according to Moore. They were described as lifelong friends.
The driver of the BMW, who was later identified as Brian David Olivarez, reached up to 100 mph and failed to stop at a red light before slamming into the passenger side of the Infiniti, the police chief said.
Cunningham and the passenger in the front seat of the Infiniti, whose name was withheld pending notification of family, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Officials said three others were transported to a hospital in at least serious condition: an off-duty San Bernardino County sheriff's deputy, who was a passenger in Cunningham's car; the driver of the BMW; and a passenger from that vehicle.
A preliminary investigation indicated that Olivarez "was under the influence of alcohol at the time of this collision," Moore said, adding that he would be booked for gross vehicular manslaughter "and additional charges as further evidence is gathered."
Before the news conference, Moore and coroner's officials were seen at the crash site, where an American flag was unfurled in honor of the deceased officer.
A procession then escorted the two bodies from the scene to the medical examiner's office in Boyle Heights.
"He's described as hardworking, honest, a person you can go to get the job done with a great attitude," said Moore.
Cunningham leaves behind a fiancée and two young sons - ages 6 and 3.
