Officer’s Report on Rolling Over Transient in Error, CHP Says

The police officer whose patrol car ran over and critically injured a homeless man last week did not set his parking brake before getting out of the car, contrary to his original statement that his brakes failed, the California Highway Patrol said Monday.

Laguna Beach Police Officer Gregory Walloch, 33, an eight-year veteran, told investigators that he was in his patrol car last Wednesday and attempted to brake to help transient Donald McMechan, but his brakes failed and the car rolled over the man. McMechan suffered severe head injuries.

CHP investigators tested the car and found no problem with the brakes, a CHP spokesman said. Investigators said in a report released Monday that Walloch apparently stepped out of the car without setting the brake. The findings will be forwarded to the Orange County district attorney’s office, which will decide whether to file charges.