CHP officer Miguel Cano is on duty in the early hours of Wednesday morning. He and his partner were in the arrest, bringing the DUI suspect to Syrah’s wealthy office, which is only a few blocks.
But Kano didn’t do it.
After telling his partner that he was uncomfortable, he lost control of the patrol cruiser and smashed a tree in Culver City. He was killed. His partner and the suspect they transported were injured.
“We are shocked by the losses of Officer Kano, who gave his life in serving the people of California,” California Highway Patrol Commissioner Sean Duryee said in a statement. “His dedication, courage and commitment to public safety will never be forgotten. We stand with his family and the sanitation family during this extremely difficult time.”
It is unclear what caused the crash and what might have happened to emergency medical treatment. Duryee said the officer had no known health problems.
Cano, 34, of Moreno Valley, traveled south with his partner on Bristol Parkway north of Green Valley Circle at 12:28 a.m. Wednesday, which has not been immediately confirmed. They were detained by people allegedly possessing firearms, possible cocaine and drug paraphernalia. They fear the suspect may be overdose.
CANO manages Narcan with preventive measures. Duryee said the partner returned to the office when Cano said he was uncomfortable.
Their vehicle hit a tree from the road. Kano was taken to UCLA Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
A solemn Cano colleague cadre participated in a parade Wednesday morning as the body was transported to the medical examiner’s office.
Cano’s partner suffered minor injuries and was treated on site, CHP said. The Culver City Fire Department transported the detained to Marina Del Rey’s Cedar-Sini. Duryee said their injuries were not serious.
The department’s accident investigation team is leading the investigation into the incident, CHP said. However, investigators have ruled out the possibility of possible exposure to drugs.
“We don’t think it’s an exposure to drugs,” Duryee said. “Another official and subjects encountered no signs or symptoms associated with this.”
Cano graduated from the CHP Academy in November 2023, with his wife and parents surviving.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement that Cano’s death was a heartbreaking loss for the state and California Highway Patrol. “The governor noted that this is the first death to the Health Department in service since 2020, and the flag of the state’s Capitol will be hung among half of the staff.
