An off-duty Orange County sheriff’s deputy was killed in a single-vehicle crash Thursday in Lake Elsinore.
The fatal crash occurred about 5:15 a.m. in the 25000 block of Railroad Canyon Road, near Canyon Hills Road, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
Fire officials said paramedics reached the location a short time later and pronounced the victim dead at the scene. Video from the location showed a vehicle that appeared to have struck a tree in the roadway median. It was unclear what caused the crash.
Orange County officials identified the deputy as Brian Haney, who worked in the San Juan Capistrano area and was on his way home when the crash occurred. Officials said he was married with a month-old child. Haney’s age was not immediately available.
“I’m grateful for his service, and my heart goes out to Deputy Haney’s loved ones,” Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley posted on social media. “His young family will need our strong community support through the grief.”
San Juan Capistrano Mayor Howard Hart wrote online that he was “shocked and deeply saddened” at Haney’s death.
“I am especially devastated to learn that he leaves behind a loving wife and a newborn baby to whom he was returning home after protecting and serving our community when this terrible accident occurred,” Hart wrote. “I know my San Juan Capistrano neighbors will join me in prayers of comfort and support for Deputy Haney’s family and loved ones.”
Dozens of the fallen lawman’s comrades gathered at the crash scene and saluted as his body — draped in an American flag — was removed from the vehicle and placed into a hearse. Just after 11 a.m., a law enforcement procession began, transporting the remains eastbound to the Riverside County coroner’s facility in Perris.
“We are mourning the loss of one of our own,” according to an Orange County Sheriff’s Department statement posted to Twitter Thursday morning. “Earlier Thursday morning, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department informed us that a member of our department was pronounced deceased at the scene of a traffic collision. Our greatest sorrow and condolences are for the member’s family and closest friends. During this time, we are collaborating with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department as we prepare to honor our fallen member.”