Speed Cited in Fatal Police Crash

In violation of departmental code, Long Beach Police Officer Karl D. Simons was driving at an “excessive speed” moments before he died in a freeway crash last October, according to a California Highway Patrol investigation released Monday.

The 26-year-old Fullerton resident was driving between 106 and 116 mph on the Long Beach Freeway in response to a call of a car theft, according to the 150-page report. The four-year officer was killed instantly Oct. 13 after hitting the rear of another car, veering out of control and striking an 18-inch-thick steel post.

“I think the general feeling is that anything over 100 mph is excessive,” said Greg Davy, a spokesman for the city of Long Beach.

The Simons family could not be reached for comment.

The report, which took four months to prepare, said it appeared that Simons did not activate his emergency lights or sirens and was not wearing a seat belt. Given the high speed, however, the report said seat belts would not have saved him.

The report also questioned why Simons drove in the No. 2 traffic lane, which was occupied by another car, when the other lanes were empty. It speculated he might have inadvertently drifted into the second lane after completing a radio transmission.