A motorcycle officer with the California Highway Patrol was killed early Friday in a crash at a Redlands intersection.
The crash, which involved the officer's cycle and a big rig, occurred during a pursuit. The officer was identified as seven-year veteran Tom Coleman.
"There were at least two (traffic collisions) during the pursuit," Redlands police spokesman Carl Baker told the newspaper. "One of (the crashes) involved the CHP motor officer."
The first crash involved the officer. It occurred at about 6:30 a.m. near Alabama Street and San Bernardino Avenue.
Authorities said the pursuit began after the motorist committed a traffic violation and failed to yield to the officer. The suspect's vehicle made it through the intersection, but the officer collided with the big rig.
CHP officials said several 911 calls were received after the crash.
Firefighters responding to the crash draped a U.S. flag over the officer's body. Coleman is survived by his wife and two children.
The motorist continued driving and crashed at nearby Citrus Plaza. Four people in the vehicle were taken into custody after they attempted to flee on foot, according to a CHP news release.
Earlier this week, a CHP motorcycle officer was critically injured when he was struck during a traffic stop on the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles.
A viewing for Officer Coleman was scheduled for Wednesday at Mountain View Mortuary in San Bernardino. A memorial service, which is open to the public, is scheduled for Thursday at the Redlands Bowl in Redlands.
