CHP Officer Is Killed in Chase

A California Highway Patrol officer was killed Wednesday morning when he lost control of his car while chasing a motorist near the Grapevine exit on Interstate 5 in Kern County.

Officer Erick Manny, 35, of Bakersfield was killed in the accident on the northbound highway shortly after 11 a.m., said Tom Marshall, a CHP spokesman in Sacramento. Manny had radioed that he was chasing a driver in a black vehicle who refused to pull over, he said.

During the chase, the officer swerved to avoid a truck that had cut him off, witnesses told authorities. The officer’s car rolled down an embankment and came to rest on the Grapevine exit offramp, Marshall said.

Late Wednesday, officers still did not have a description of the black vehicle, which fled the scene, he said.

The driver of the truck was not cited and an investigation of the accident was continuing, Marshall said.

Manny, who has been with the CHP since graduating from the academy in 2001, leaves behind his wife, Ronina, and two children, son Toran and daughter Teagan.

“It’s always terrible,” Marshall said. “At this time of year, with the holidays, it makes it even worse.... Our thoughts are with the family having to deal with this.”

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger released the following statement:

“Maria and I are deeply saddened by the tragic news of Officer Manny’s death, and we offer our condolences to his family during this difficult time.

“Erick gave his life in the line of duty. There is no greater, more noble sacrifice any of us can make, nor is there any way we can ever repay Erick or his family for their loss.”

The accident marked the third death of a CHP officer in the line of duty this year, Marshall said.

On Sept. 23, motorcycle Officer David Romero, 47, was stopped at a red light in the City of Industry when he was struck from behind by an alleged drunken driver. A suspect was arrested later and charged with Romero’s death. The father of five was a 23-year department veteran.

On Nov. 17, Officer Andrew Stevens, 37, was shot to death during a traffic stop in Woodland, near Sacramento. Two men, including the son of a Bay Area police officer, and a woman were arrested later and charged in connection with Stevens’ death. He was a 13-year CHP veteran.

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Times staff writer Anna Gorman contributed to this report.