A POLICE sergeant has died after being hit by traffic on a busy freeway, sparking a complete shutdown of all southbound lanes.
The heartbreaking incident occurred early Monday morning as Los Angeles police sergeant Shiou Deng exited his patrol vehicle on Interstate 405 in Brentwood to provide assistance to victims involved in a car crash.
Deng, a 26-year veteran of the force, was walking over to the scene of the two-car crash when he was struck by traffic, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said.
The sergeant was rushed to UCLA Medical Center, where he died from his injuries.
Aerial footage from the crash site showed the airbags deployed in the heavily damaged pick-up truck and dark-colored sedan.
The driver of the pick-up truck died at the scene, authorities said.
A second person involved in the initial crash was transported to a local hospital. Their condition remains unknown.
Photos showed Deng’s patrol car sitting abandoned on the southbound side of traffic.
McDonnell, the LAPD chief, mourned Deng’s death, saying the veteran died a hero.
“He was out there every day caring for the most vulnerable in our society,” McDonnell told reporters outside of UCLA Medical Center.
“When I think about him, he died a hero,” the police chief added, referring to Deng.
McDonnell said Deng spent 17 years on the force’s mental evaluation unit.
Karen Bass, the mayor of Los Angeles, ordered the American flags above city buildings to be lowered at half-staff in honor of Deng.
“This is a sad day for our city,” Bass said on an X post.
“The men and women of LAPD put their lives on the line for Angelenos each and every day.
“Sgt. Deng served L.A. for more than 25 years. This morning, I met with officers at the hospital who described him as caring and selfless.
“His last act was one of service – putting the safety and wellbeing of others above all else.”
Officials shut down all traffic on the southbound side of I-405.
Source : https://www.the-sun.com/news/14544527/cop-hit-by-traffic-killed-accident-405-freeway/