By Mike Cruz
Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO - A California Highway Patrol officer was struck and killed by a car while conducting a traffic stop early Sunday morning on the shoulder of 15 Freeway in Barstow.
Officer Justin McGrory suffered major injuries as a result of the collision and was taken by helicopter to St. Mary Medical Center in Apple Valley where he died, according to CHP officials.
McGrory, 28, of Victorville, was assigned to the Barstow station and has been a CHP officer since October 2007.
McGrory becomes the second CHP officer killed in the line of duty in San Bernardino County in less than three weeks. He is survived by his wife, a 7-year-old daughter, a 4-year-old son and a 1-year-old son.
CHP officials say McGrory and his partner, Officer Ryan Bostrom, stopped a vehicle at 3:38 a.m. on the northbound shoulder of the 15 Freeway at Hodge Road. The vehicle’s driver and McGrory were standing on the right shoulder, to the right front side of the patrol car.
A red 2009 Pontiac G6, driven by 18-year-old Rafael Garcia, veered onto the shoulder, clipped the right rear corner of the patrol car and continued north when he struck McGrory, according to the CHP.
“We don’t believe alcohol was involved at this point,” said Officer Mario Lopez, a CHP spokesman. “Our investigators are still trying to piece together what happened.”
Neither Bostrom nor the other driver were injured.
Garcia, of Las Vegas, Nev., stopped after the crash and was arrested at the scene on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter.
Services for McGrory are pending.
“Basically right now, we’re trying to provide as much support as we can to the family and the Barstow office,” Lopez said.
On June 10, Motor Officer Thomas Coleman died during a traffic pursuit in Redlands. Coleman, 33, of Fontana, tried to cross Alabama Street and was hit a big rig in the intersection of San Bernardino Avenue, investigators said.
Richard Perez, 20, of Redlands, is alleged to have recklessly driven a silver Ford Focus at speeds of more than 100 miles per hour while fleeing from Coleman, a seven-year CHP veteran.
Perez has pleaded not guilty to murder charges and special allegation that the victim was a peace officer, according to San Bernardino Superior Court records.
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