Accident – Death – Obituary News :

Off-Duty Los Angeles Police Officer and Passenger Killed in Horrific Crash

Tragedy struck on Saturday morning in Northridge as an off-duty Los Angeles police officer and his front-seat passenger lost their lives in a devastating two-vehicle crash. The collision was caused by a vehicle that ran a red light at a staggering speed of over 100 mph, according to authorities.

The officer, identified as Darrell Cunningham, was mourned by LAPD Chief Michel Moore during a press conference held in front of the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office. The 20-year-old driver of the black, four-door BMW that crashed into Cunningham’s vehicle was arrested on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter. Chief Moore revealed that the suspect was allegedly under the influence of alcohol, and evidence at the scene indicated that the BMW was traveling at a speed of up to 100 mph.

In addition to the officer and his passenger, an off-duty San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy who was seated in the back of Cunningham’s white Infinity was among the injured. The crash left three people trapped inside the vehicles, with one car lodged against a building and a damaged fire hydrant, as reported by Margaret Stewart, the spokesperson for the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The collision occurred at the intersection of Lindley Avenue and 18101 W. Roscoe Blvd. at around 1:19 a.m. on Saturday. Cunningham was driving northbound on Lindley with two other occupants when their vehicle was struck by the speeding BMW, which failed to stop for the red light, Chief Moore explained.

Upon arrival at the scene, LAFD paramedics sadly pronounced Cunningham and his front-seat passenger dead. However, a woman inside the BMW managed to free herself from the wreckage, although she sustained serious injuries.

“All others were trapped because of the force and level of damage created by this horrific collision,” Chief Moore said.

Fire crews worked diligently to free the trapped victims and transported them to a nearby hospital. The 20-year-old driver of the BMW was unconscious and listed in critical condition at the hospital. The off-duty San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy, whom Chief Moore personally visited, suffered a broken hip and other serious injuries but is expected to survive.

The motorist responsible for the crash was arrested on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter, with the possibility of additional charges as further evidence is gathered, Chief Moore confirmed.

Officer Darrell Cunningham had served nearly five years with the Los Angeles Police Department and was stationed at the West Los Angeles station. He leaves behind a fiancée, a 3-year-old son, and a 6-year-old son. Chief Moore expressed his condolences and support for the officer’s family, writing on X, “We mourn the loss of Officer Darrell Cunningham who was killed along with his friend by the senseless violence of a DUI driver. May God welcome him home. We will do everything possible to support his fiancée, 2 young boys, mom & 2 brothers.”

Chief Moore also authorized the wearing of mourning bands in honor of Officer Cunningham.

The investigation into the crash is being handled by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Multi-Disciplinary Collision Investigation Team.

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