A Compton resident has been charged in the death of a police officer after allegedly causing a fatal crash.
On Tuesday, Oct. 8, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced charges against Raymond Eugene Sanders in connection with the Oct. 4, 2023 death of Manhattan Beach Police Officer Chad Swanson.
Sanders, 68, is charged with one count of vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence, a misdemeanor, per a press release from the district attorney’s office.
Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times via Getty
Swanson had been riding his patrol motorcycle to work at the time of his death, both the press release and an obituary by the City of Manhattan Beach confirmed.
The father of three was killed on the 405 Highway at Del Amo Avenue after an accident involving Sanders’ vehicle at approximately 5:15 a.m. Swanson was transported to Harbor Medical Center where he died from his injuries.
“Sanders is accused of improperly securing boxes of lighting fixtures to his truck, causing several to fall onto the roadway. Investigators determined improper securement as a key factor in the crash,” the press release states.
If found guilty, Sanders could spend up to one year in county jail.
“The life of Officer Swanson, a husband and father of three young children, was tragically cut short. He had honorably served the Manhattan Beach community for 13 years, and his loss is a profound one felt by his family, colleagues, and all who knew him,” Gascón said in a statement.
“This case is a grim reminder of the devastating consequences of negligence on our roads. Drivers must always remain vigilant and cautious — failure to do so can cost lives. Those who act recklessly and put others in danger will be held accountable.”
Manhattan Beach police department
In a statement in the district attorney’s office release, California Highway Patrol Chief Chris Margaris said, “The CHP would like to remind everyone, if you are transporting any cargo that could spill onto the roadway, it needs to be properly secured.”
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Swanson’s obituary described him as someone fearless.
“Despite being wounded at the Route 91 Harvest Country Music Festival, he repeatedly ran into the crowd bringing people to safety,” the City of Manhattan Beach said of Swanson’s heroic efforts in the 2017 tragedy.
Jason Aldean had been performing the closing set on the third and final day of the outdoor country music fest when 64-year-old Stephen Paddock, of Mesquite, Nev., began shooting into the crowd of over 22,000 people from the window of his 32nd-floor hotel room at the nearby Mandalay Bay casino.
Nearly 60 people were killed and more than 700 others were injured.
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