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Manhattan Beach Police Officer Dies In 405 Freeway Crash

Cars and trucks fill a six lane freeway, driving downhill.
Cars, trucks, SUVs, and other vehicles drive in traffic on the 405 Freeway through the Sepulveda Pass.
(
Patrick T. Fallon
/
AFP via Getty Images
)

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Topline:

A Manhattan Beach police motorcycle officer who survived the Las Vegas mass shooting in 2017 was killed in a crash early Wednesday on the northbound 405 Freeway in the Carson area.

Details: The crash was reported at around 5:15 a.m. near Del Amo Boulevard. The officer, who died after being rushed to the hospital, was identified as Chad Swanson.

Officials did not immediately release details of the crash, which resulted in the shutdown of all the northbound lanes on the San Diego Freeway between Avalon Boulevard and the 110 Freeway.

Community reaction: “The entire Manhattan Beach community is mourning the loss of an officer who dedicated his career to ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents,” Manhattan Beach Mayor Richard Montgomery said. “His fearless contributions to our community and beyond were marked by bravery, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to duty.”

Police Chief Rachel Johnson echoed that assessment.

“His absence leaves an indelible void with our tight-knit law enforcement family and the community he served,” he added.

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His backstory: Swanson had been with the police department since 2010, he joined the motor division in 2017.

In a statement, Manhattan Beach Mayor Richard Montgomery confirmed that Swanson survived the Harvest Country Music Festival mass shooting in Las Vegas in 2017.

He is survived by his wife and three children, police said.

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