Off-Duty Police Officer Killed in Costa Mesa Crash

An off-duty Costa Mesa police officer was killed when the car he was driving slammed into a cement column beneath a freeway overpass in Costa Mesa, according to reports from the scene.

The crash beneath the Costa Mesa (55) Freeway on Bristol Street near Newport Avenue was reported at 10:22 p.m. Tuesday, said Sgt. Jerry Hildeman of the Costa Mesa Police Department. The driver, the vehicle's sole occupant, was taken to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana, Hildeman said. He was later pronounced dead, according to KNX 1070, which reported that he was 30-year veteran of the Costa Mesa Police Department.

The chiefs of the Costa Mesa police and fire departments were at the crash site early this morning and officers were affixing black bands to their badges, a news photographer reported from the scene.

Newport Beach police were called to assist in the crash investigation, said the Newport Beach Police Department watch commander. The victim was driving a Honda Accord, the photographer reported.

-City News Service