On-duty police officer fatally strikes man in Benicia; DA and CHP investigating the death

Benicia officer on leave after hitting, killing pedestrian

An investigation is underway after an on-duty Benicia police officer struck and killed a pedestrian.

BENICIA, Calif. - An on-duty police officer in a patrol car struck and killed a pedestrian in Benicia early Wednesday morning, police said.

Police said the officer was driving about 2 a.m. in 1900 block of East 2nd Street when his car struck the victim. The Solano County coroner's office identified the man as 48-year-old transient Scott Hamers.

"We do want to offer our deepest condolences to the pedestrian's family and loved ones," said Benicia police spokeswoman Irma Widjojo.

Police did not say whether Hamers was in a crosswalk or how fast the patrol car was going at the time. Authorities did say that the officer was not responding to a call for service at the time. The scene is near a gas station and convenience store.

Patrol car kills man in Benicia

An on-duty patrol car killed a male pedestrian in Benicia. Christian Kafton reports

Paramedics were immediately called but they could not save the man's life. The officer wasn't injured.

"This really hits home," said Sgt. Jerry Ribeira, president of the Benicia police union. "We are a family here at the department. Obviously, our officer is very shaken up from everything."

The officer was immediately removed from the scene and the collision investigation was taken over by the California Highway Patrol and the Solano County District Attorney’s Office. The Benicia Police Department is not involved in the investigation. The collision area will be closed off to traffic for several hours to accommodate the investigation.