San Jose Police Officer Riding Motorcycle Killed In Collision
SAN JOSE (CBS SF) -- Police Officer Michael Katherman was killed in a traffic collision while riding a motorcycle on-duty in San Jose Tuesday afternoon, according to Chief Eddie Garcia.
"It's with great sadness that I inform you this community has lost an officer in the line of duty," Garcia said during a news conference at the
police department tonight.
The crash was reported at 4:22 p.m. on North 10th Street at Horning Street.
Katherman was headed north on his motorcycle when he collided with a southbound minivan. The man driving was attempting to make a left turn onto
eastbound Horning Street when the collision occurred.
A Good Samaritan who witnessed the crash stopped to help, using Katherman's radio to summon paramedics to the scene. Katherman was transported to a hospital and pronounced dead, however.
Sources tell KPIX 5 that bystanders gave the officer CPR after the accident and before paramedics arrived at the scene.
Today we lost a brother officer. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Michael's family and friends. Rest in peace Officer Katherman.
— San Jose Police Dept (@SanJosePD) June 15, 2016
The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with the subsequent investigation. Police have not identified him.
Katherman was an 11-year veteran of the department, Garcia said, and father of two children. He was a member of the traffic enforcement unit
on a routine patrol of the city at the time of the crash.