Manslaughter Charge for CHP Officer Accused of Fatally Striking a Pedestrian

A California Highway Patrol officer has been formally charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter over the 2019 crash that killed a 24-year-old pedestrian in Bixby Knolls, authorities say.

Details:

On Oct. 27, 2019, at roughly 4:40 a.m. CHP Officer Alfredo Gutierrez, 38, was driving, while on duty, at an excessive speed, on a motorcycle when he fatally struck and killed 24-year-old Cezannie Mount on Del Amo Blvd near Cherry Ave in the Bixby Knolls neighborhood of Long Beach, according to a criminal complaint.

Driving the news: Mount's family filed a civil lawsuit against Officer Gutierrez and the CHP back in May, alleging wrongful death and negligence.

• Gutierrez fliped off his motorcycle after crashing into Mount and suffered injuries.

• According to CHP, Mount died at the scene when he was crossing the street outside of the crosswalk at the time of the crash.

• If convicted, Gutierrez could face up to a year in county jail.

• The Press-Telegram reported that Gutierrez was still employed at the CHP South Los Angeles Office.