Off-duty LAPD cop killed in collision with car in Torrance

TORRANCE, Calif. (KABC) -- A 24-year-old off-duty Los Angeles police officer was killed Saturday after his motorcycle collided with a car in Torrance.

A car was driving eastbound on 234th Street and crashed into the officer while making a left turn onto Western Avenue before 6 p.m. LAPD Officer Erick Alcaraz of Carson was killed. The driver of the vehicle was not injured.

Both northbound and southbound lanes on Western were closed for several hours.

Carson had just finished his first year and was set to start at a new LAPD division on Sunday. He had worked with the LAPD for about 18 months, according to LAPD Cmdr. Andrew Smith.

The LAPD South Bureau tweeted: "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the officers family and friends."

"The entire LAPD is grieving the loss of a young officer killed in an off-duty traffic collision. Our hearts go out to the family, friends and co-workers of this fine officer during this difficult time," LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said in a statement.

In all, six LAPD officers have died this year, with Alcaraz being the fifth officer to die in a traffic accident.

Officer Roberto Sanchez died in May when his patrol car was broadsided by an SUV in Harbor City. Police said Officer Chris Cortijo was killed in April by a suspected drugged driver who struck his police motorcycle.

Detective Ernest Allen died in May when his personal car was hit by a cement truck on Loma Vista Drive in Beverly Hills. It's the same street where Officer Nicolas Lee was killed in March when a runaway garbage truck slammed into his police cruiser.

LAPD Officer George Nagata died of a heart condition in May.

Alcaraz leaves behind his mother and father. He was a Marine Corps veteran.