A multi-vehicle crash killed an off-duty 21-year-old Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy and injured others in Santa Clarita on Monday afternoon, officials confirmed to KTLA.
The California Highway Patrol said the crash was reported at 3:17 p.m. on San Francisquito Canyon Road, south of Dry Gulch Road.
Officers arrived to find three vehicles with major damage and what was only described as “multiple injured parties.”
“One of the involved parties, an off-duty deputy with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, sustained critical injuries and was airlifted by helicopter to Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries,” stated CHP’s release.
L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna spoke with the media outside of Henry Mayo Hospital on Monday night, confirming the deputy’s death.
“Unfortunately, we lost one of our very young deputies in an off-duty traffic collision earlier today,” said Sheriff Luna in a video released by a local radio station. “He was transported to this hospital where, unfortunately, he fought valiantly, but lost his life.”
Luna said they are not yet releasing the deputy’s name because although there are family members at the hospital, “he’s got a very large family,” and officials had not yet been able to contact them all.
The 21-year-old deputy had been with the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department for only a year.
“It’s tragic anyway you put it,” said Luna. “Incredible young man, we are so fortunate to have hired him, and he was providing excellent service here in the community on and off duty.”
CHP said that the other injured patients were transported by ambulance to the same hospital as the deputy, but their current statuses were not immediately provided.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of this deputy, our thoughts are with his family, friends and the entire Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department during this incredibly difficult time,” said Captain E. A. Krusey with CHP. “We honor his service and commitment to our community.”
The post Multi-vehicle crash kills young, off-duty Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy appeared first on KTLA.
