CHP Motorcycle Officer, Driver Killed In Crash On I-80 In Fairfield
FAIRFIELD (CBS13) – The latest on the crash involving a California Highway Patrol officer in Fairfield:
3:45 p.m. UPDATE: A procession is underway for fallen CHP Officer Kirk Griess
2:26 p.m.
California Highway Patrol officials confirm that Officer Kirk Griess was killed in the crash on Interstate 80 on Friday.
Griess, 46, was a 19-year veteran of the CHP and had served in the Marine Corps.
The officer had pulled over a driver near North Texas Street when, for an unknown reason, a pickup truck driver crashed into both of them on the shoulder.
Griess and the driver he had pulled over were taken to a nearby hospital but were later pronounced dead. The driver's name has not been released, but he's been identified as a 49-year-old Vallejo man.
Investigators are questioning the driver of the pickup truck.
12:10 p.m.
A major accident involving three people, including a CHP officer, is slowing traffic on westbound Interstate 80 in Fairfield Friday morning.
The scene is on Interstate 80 near North Texas Street.
CHP confirms one of their motorcycle officers were struck and injured in the crash that was initially reported around 9 a.m.
Fairfield Fire Department personnel are also at the scene.
There has been no word yet on how significant the officer's injuries are, or what led up to the crash.
Two people from the crash were taken to the North Bay Medical Center, while the third victim has been taken to Kaiser Medical Center in Vacaville.
Traffic is backing up on the westbound side of I-80 nearly all the way to Vacaville.
Authorities are asking drivers to try and avoid the area if at all possible. Three lanes and cars are being let through, but traffic is very slow in the area.
More information to come.
