No charges will be filed against an Irvine man who was behind the wheel of a pickup truck involved in a collision that killed a Laguna Beach police officer, the department said.
Officer Jon Coutchie was the first Laguna Beach police officer to die in six decades when he was involved in an accident en route to a reckless driver call Sept. 21.
An investigation by California Highway Patrol’s Major Accident Investigation team concluded the 20-year-old driver was primarily at fault for the accident for failing to yield to Coutchie - who had the right-of-way - while making a left hand turn. The report also indicated Coutchie’s speed was a factor, according to a statement from the Laguna Beach Police Department.
The driver was not named publicly.
Lights and sirens on Coutchie’s motorcycle were not activated at the time of the collision.
After reading the CHP report, the Orange County District Attorney’s office declined to file charges against the driver.
"Based upon a thorough review of all of the evidence provided to and obtained by the OCDA and pursuant to legal principles, it is our legal opinion that the evidence does not support the filing of criminal charges," Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Walker said in a letter to the department.
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Coutchie was remembered as a “committed cop” and former Army Ranger who enlisted in the service after 9/11 and served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
After leaving the military, he worked as a part-time jailer for the police department before becoming a full-time motorcycle officer.
On the anniversary of Coutchie’s death, the city will dedicate a new sculpture at the police department to Coutchie and Officer Gordon French, who was killed during a hostage situation in 1953.
Senior digital producer Jason Kandel contributed to this report.
