AndrewBlakeTracy, Calif. – The wife of a California Highway Patrol Officer who was killed Christmas Eve waited until after their three children opened their Christmas gifts to tell them the tragic news.
CHP Officer Andrew Camilleri, 33, was killed when an allegedly drunk driver slammed into his patrol vehicle.
“They were going to open their Christmas presents first before Rosanna tells them,” Officer Camilleri’s mother, Sharon, said according to Mercury News.
His partner, who was in the driver’s seat and wearing a seat belt, survived the crash.
Officials have still not released the name of the 22-year-old suspect. He is listed in serious condition in the hospital.
Investigators said he was under the influence of alcohol and marijuana when he drifted off the road and slammed into Officer Camilleri’s parked patrol car.
“The impact was so severe that it turned a utility vehicle into a very small compact vehicle,” Assistant Chief Ernest Sanchez told KFSN.
“We have enough evidence and enough statements that have been made today to allow us to charge this individual when he gets released from the local hospital with some very serious felony charges,” Assistant Chief Sanchez told KGO.
KGO reported that CHP officers from other Bay Area offices, like San Francisco, Dublin, Redwood City and San Jose took over patrols for the Hayward area on Dec. 27.
“Obviously we’re all deeply hurting right now with what happened to Officer Camilleri. And the Union City Police Department and all agencies in the area are going to support the California Highway Patrol in whatever way they need,” said Union City Police Lieutenant Jeff Snell.
Officer Camilleri had been with the California Highway Patrol for one year and four months.