VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) — A California Highway Patrol officer who was killed in a crash in Tulare County this week is being remembered by colleagues as a dedicated public servant and valued member of the law enforcement community.<\/p>\n
Officer Brian Liles, who was on duty at the time of the crash, died after a collision involving his motorcycle, a tractor-trailer and a passing vehicle, according to CHP officials.<\/p>\n
“It’s a devastating loss for our department, our division, the Visalia CHP area, our law enforcement community, the community of Tulare County, and more importantly for Brian’s family and loved ones,” CHP Chief Damon Gilmore said Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Law enforcement officials provide an update on the deadly crash that killed a California Highway Patrol motorcycle officer on Highway 99 in Tulare County.<\/p>\n
Authorities said Liles collided with a tractor-trailer traveling north on Highway 99 near Avenue 152 shortly after 5 p.m. Monday. The crash shut down a large portion of the roadway for several hours.<\/p>\n
The impact threw Liles from his motorcycle, and he was then struck by a passing car, officials said. Emergency personnel from multiple agencies responded and performed life-saving efforts, but Liles died shortly after being hit.<\/p>\n
Gilmore thanked the Visalia Police Department, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office and the fire department for their response to the scene.<\/p>\n
“Brian was a true public servant, just an amazing officer, and he’s going to be greatly missed,” Gilmore said. “I can tell you, he is the 36th officer that has laid down his life here in Central Division, and the 233rd officer for the California Highway Patrol since our inception in 1929.”<\/p>\n
Gilmore also expressed gratitude for the support being shown by the community.<\/p>\n
“We’re probably uniquely close in Visalia and the level of support from each officer I think that’s what creates the bond and will get us through this,” he said.<\/p>\n
The drivers of the tractor-trailer and the car that struck Liles remained at the scene and are cooperating with investigators, officials said.<\/p>\n
Authorities said the investigation remains in its early stages, and few additional details about the crash have been released.<\/p>\n
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