October 8, 2024: Man Charged in Crash that Killed Manhattan Beach Police Officer Chad Swanson

Raymond Eugene Sanders is charged with one count of vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence

COMPTON, CA - Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced today that a man has been charged in the Oct. 4 crash that killed 35-year-old Manhattan Beach Police Officer Chad Swanson, who was riding his department motorcycle to work.

"The life of Officer Swanson, a husband and father of three young children, was tragically cut short. He had honorably served the Manhattan Beach community for 13 years, and his loss is a profound one felt by his family, colleagues, and all who knew him," District Attorney Gascón said. "This case is a grim reminder of the devastating consequences of negligence on our roads. Drivers must always remain vigilant and cautious - failure to do so can cost lives. Those who act recklessly and put others in danger will be held accountable."

In addition to expressing condolences for this grievous loss, California Highway Patrol Chief Chris Margaris noted: "The CHP would like to remind everyone, if you are transporting any cargo that could spill onto the roadway, it needs to be properly secured."

Raymond Eugene Sanders (DOB 11/29/1955) of Compton is charged with one count of vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence, a misdemeanor, in case 24CMCM01571. Sanders has been cited to appear on Jan. 3, 2025, in Dept. 4 of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Compton Branch.

If convicted as charged, he faces up to one year in county jail.

On Oct. 4, at approximately 5:19 a.m., Officer Swanson was fatally injured in a multi-vehicle crash on the northbound 405 Freeway in Carson, after being thrown from his department motorcycle. Sanders is accused of improperly securing boxes of lighting fixtures to his truck, causing several to fall onto the roadway. Investigators determined improper securement as a key factor in the crash.

The case was investigated by the California Highway Patrol, South LA station.