A Compton man has been charged with vehicular manslaughter in the death of a 35 year old manhattan beach police officer who died in a motorcycle accident while on his way to work last year.
Officer Chad Swanson was riding his department motorcycle on the 405 Freeway in the early morning of October 4, 2023 when a multi-vehicle crash caused him to crash.
Raymond Eugene Sanders, 69, is accused of improperly securing boxes of light fixtures to his truck, causing several to fall onto the roadway. Investigators have determined that improper security is a key factor in the crash, according to the prosecutor’s office.
Sanders is charged with manslaughter without gross negligence.
Law enforcement said last year that the 13-year veteran of the department was thrown from his motorcycle after a vehicle unsafely changed lanes. Paramedics rushed the seriously injured officer to hospital, where he later died.
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said this case is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of negligence on the roadways.
“Drivers must always remain vigilant and cautious. If they don’t, it could cost lives. Those who act recklessly and endanger others will be held accountable,” Gascón said. The WKK has also sent a reminder that freight transport must be properly secured.
At the time of Swanson’s death last year, Manhattan Beach police held a news conference to share details about Swanson’s life and service, expressing their sadness at his loss.
“He loved riding motorcycles. Most importantly, he loved his wife and three boys. He had an infectious smile and was always positive. He was just a pleasure to work with,” said MBPD Lt. Kelly Benjamin.
In 2016, Swanson was part of a group of four MBPD officers who received the Life Saving Award at the Medal of Valor Ceremony for saving the life of a burglary suspect who was bleeding from his self-inflicted wound. Doctors at Harbor General Hospital credited the officers’ actions with saving the man’s life.
Swanson was attending the three-day Route 91 Harvest Country Music Festival in Las Vegas when the 2017 mass shooting occurred. Swanson was shot in the arm, while his MBPD colleague, part of the department group that went to the festival, died from her gunshot wound.
A 2017 newspaper article in the Daily Breeze reported that when Swanson heard gunfire during the concert, he ran into the crowd, looking for victims who needed help.
