CULVER CITY, Calif. — A California Highway Patrol officer died after suffering a medical emergency while transporting a suspect, leading to a single-vehicle crash, KCAL reported.
Officer Miguel Cano, 34, of Moreno Valley, was pronounced dead at about 1:40 a.m. on July 2, CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee announced during a news conference. The cause of death remains under investigation, but authorities do not believe the crash caused fatal injuries.
Cano and his partner arrested a suspect on suspicion of DUI in Culver City. While transporting the individual, Cano reported feeling unwell to his partner, who noted that Cano appeared visibly ill. Moments later, Cano lost consciousness, and the vehicle crashed into a tree, according to CHP.
First responders administered Narcan as a precaution at the scene, though Duryee said there is no evidence Cano was exposed to drugs. A firearm, suspected cocaine and drug paraphernalia were found in the suspect’s vehicle.
Cano’s partner and the suspect sustained minor injuries in the crash, which occurred around 12:30 a.m. Images from the scene showed a damaged CHP SUV off the roadway near trees.
Cano had served with the CHP for two years and graduated from the academy in the fall of 2023. He was married.
“This young man, he’s a hero,” Duryee said. “He was out there doing what we ask these officers to do.”
