A 25-year-old police officer was struck and killed after she stopped to assist a motorist in an overturned car on a freeway in San Diego County on Monday evening, authorities mentioned.
La Mesa Police Officer Lauren Craven was on her manner again to La Mesa from a jail round 10:30 p.m. when she got here throughout the car on Interstate 8 and stopped to help, in keeping with an announcement from police. After exiting her car to assist, she was hit by one other driver.
La Mesa Police Officer Lauren Craven was killed on Monday evening. It was the division’s first line-of-duty dying.
(La Mesa Police Division)
Craven and the motive force of the overturned car each died.
Craven had been with the La Mesa Police Division for a couple of 12 months and a half, beginning with the patrol division in 2024. It was the primary line-of-duty dying within the division’s historical past, mentioned La Mesa Police Lt. Travis Higgins.
“Officer Craven’s actions in her last moments exemplified her unwavering dedication to service and the protection of others — a mirrored image of how she lived day-after-day,” the assertion mentioned.
Flags on the California Capitol flew at half-staff Tuesday in honor of Craven, in keeping with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s workplace.
“Officer Craven served her group with delight and dedication,” Newsom mentioned in an announcement. “Jennifer and I are heartbroken by her loss and the numerous influence her passing leaves on the bigger San Diego group.”
Metropolis Information Service contributed to this report.
