Charges have been filed against the man accused of causing a multi-vehicle crash that resulted in the death of a Manhattan Beach Police Department officer last year.
Raymond Eugene Sanders, 69, of Compton was charged Tuesday with one count of vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced.
The deadly collision happened on Oct. 4, 2023, when four vehicles crashed on the northbound 405 Freeway, including officer Chad Swanson, who was thrown from his department motorcycle and died from his injuries.
The D.A.’s Office accused Sanders of failing to secure boxes of lighting fixtures that fell from his truck and onto the roadway. Investigators said the falling objects were a key factor in the deadly crash.
Sanders has been charged with a misdemeanor and is due to appear in court in January.
California Highway Patrol Chief Chris Margaris in a Tuesday news release reiterated the importance of properly securing cargo when driving to possibly prevent future tragedies.
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón echoed that sentiment.
“The life of Officer Swanson … was tragically cut short,” Gascón said. “This case is a grim reminder of the devastating consequences of negligence on our roads. Drivers must always remain vigilant and cautious — failure to do so can cost lives.”
Swanson, who was 35 when he died, was described by loved ones as a loving husband, beloved son and dedicated father to three young boys.
He served the Manhattan Beach community for 13 years and colleagues shared stories of his bravery in the line of fire, including during the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting. Swanson was wounded during the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history, but was credited by superiors as being “responsible for saving several lives and helping rescue victims out of that area.”
The deadly crash was investigated by the California Highway Patrol in South Los Angeles.
