CHP executive Miguel Cano was on the job early on Wednesday morning. He and his partner took the suspect DUI to the West LA CHP office a few blocks away, along the way from his arrest.
But Kano didn’t make it.
After telling his partner he was feeling unwell, he lost control of his patrol cruiser and hit a Culver City tree. He was killed. His partner and the suspect they were transporting were injured.
“We are devastated by the loss of Officer Cano, who gave his life while serving the people of California,” California Highway Patrol Commissioner Shawn Dury said in a statement. “He will never forget his dedication, courage and commitment to public safety. We will stand with his family and our CHP family during this incredibly difficult time.”
It was not immediately clear what caused the crash and what kind of medical emergency girlfriend had experienced. Dury said the health issues were not known to the executives.
Kano, 34, from Moreno Valley, was driving south along the Bristol Parkway north of Green Valley Circle at 12:28am Wednesday with a partner who was not immediately identified. They had detained someone allegedly in possession of firearms, potential cocaine and drug equipment. They feared that the suspect might have overdose.
Kano managed Narcan as a precaution. Later, when Kano said she was feeling unwell, her partner went back to the office, Dury said.
Their cars fell off the road and slammed on the trees. Kano was rushed to UCLA Medical Center and was declared dead at about 1:40am.
On Wednesday morning, Kano’s fellow officer, Gen Cadre, joined the procession as the body was taken to the examination room.
Cano’s partner suffered minor injuries and was treated on-site, CHP said. The person in detention was taken to Cedars Sinai in Marina del Rey by the Culver City Fire Department. Dury said their injuries were not serious.
CHP said the department’s accident investigation team was leading the investigation into the incident. However, investigators have already ruled out the possibility of drug exposure.
“I don’t think this is drug exposure,” Dury said. “No other officers and subjects experienced any signs or symptoms associated with it.”
Kano, who graduated from CHP Academy in November 2023, was survived by his wife and parents.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement that Cano’s passage was “a heartbreaking loss for the state and for the California Highway Patrol.” The governor said this was the CHP’s first employee since 2020, and that the flag on the Capitol is flying semi-staffed.
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