Police have confirmed an off-duty Los Angeles Police Department officer was killed and three other people were injured in a two-car crash in Simi Valley early Sunday morning.
Just after 2 a.m. the crash was reported at the intersection of Cochran Street and Sycamore Drive in Simi Valley, Simi Valley police said.
One person died at the scene.
Sunday morning, Deputy Chief Joseph May of the Simi Valley Police Department confirmed an off-duty LAPD officer had been killed in the crash.
Simi Valley police identified the officer as 30-year-old Heather Monroe of Simi Valley. She worked for LAPD's Devonshire division.
"It's a terrible way to start the New Year," May said. "It's a sad day for Los Angeles Police Department and for law enforcement to lose one whether its on duty or off. But, we just need to be careful and watch out when we're driving."
One of the cars "involved an Uber driver," who suffered minor injuries and was transported to a hospital, May said. The passenger in the car also recieved minor injuries and was treated at a local hospital.
News
Top news of the day
The driver of the other car was transported to another local hospital in an unknown condition, May said. Monroe was a passenger in that car.
A preliminary investigation indicated she was wearing her seatbelt, Simi Valley police said in a statement.
Sunday morning, May said police believe Monroe's car was driving southbound on Sycamore Drive, and that the Uber driver was heading eastbound on Cochran Street before the crash occurred.
"Although the exact cause of the collision is still being determined, it appears that one of the vehicles failed to stop for a red light," Simi Valley police said in a statement.
The investigation at the scene of the crash lasted 11 hours on Sunday. The investigation of the crash is ongoing.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or with information about the incident was asked to call the Simi Valley Police Department at 805-583-6950, and to ask for the Traffic Bureau.
