A California Highway Patrol officer died from his injuries following a "significant traffic accident" on a highway in Fairfield Friday morning, according to CHP.
Officer Kirk Griess, died at the North Bay Medical Center after being struck on Interstate 80 at North Texas Street, according to CHP Moorpark.
Aerial footage of the scene showed two wrecked vehicles and a CHP motorcycle in pieces. The condition of the other drivers are unknown.
"He was at the prime of his career making a difference," said CHP Golden Gate Division Chief Ernie Sanchez. "Today that’s what he was doing keeping the freeways even safer."
Griess was on a traffic stop behind a Saturn SUV on the right shoulder of the highway near Manuel Campos Parkway, said CHP Golden Gate. For unknown reasons, a white Chevrolet pickup truck veered towards the side and crashed into Griess and the SUV.
"The driver of a three by four ton pickup left the main portion of the roadway traveled onto the shoulder and struck Officer Griess," said Sanchez.
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The drivers were transported to a nearby hospital where one of them died.
Griess leaves behind a wife and two daughters.
"Officer Griess is going to be dearly missed he was the ultimate public servant He loved what he did. He loved being a CHP Officer," said Sanchez. "This is very difficult for me, he’s a friend and a great man."
If anyone witnessed this traffic collision they are asked to contact the CHP – Golden Gate Division Multi-disciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) tip-line at 707-917-4357.
