Ventura deputy struck by car, killed during traffic stop

CAMARILLO, Calif. -- A Ventura County sheriff's deputy was killed after another driver crashed into him while the deputy was conducting a traffic stop early Tuesday morning.

According to the sheriff's department, the deputy had pulled a driver over on a routine traffic stop.

After that driver was released, officials said the deputy was standing on the road when he was struck by another car around 1:15 a.m.

The collision happened on Lewis Road near the 101 Freeway in Camarillo. Two back-up deputies witnessed the entire incident from inside their patrol vehicle.

Deputies said the driver took off but crashed just moments later on the 101 Freeway near the Las Posas Road off-ramp. That driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.

The deputy was a 41-year-old 11-year veteran with the Ventura County Sheriff's Department in Camarillo. He leaves behind a wife and two step-children. His identity was not released pending family notification.

The suspect was not identified, but officials said he is a 25-year-old male from Camarillo.

The northbound 101 Freeway on-ramp and off-ramp at Lewis Road and the northbound 101 Freeway off-ramp at Las Posas Road were closed for investigation. Daily Drive between Lewis and Arneill roads and Daily Drive at Glen were also shut.

The California Highway Patrol is handling the investigation.