A Vacaville police officer died in the line of duty Thursday morning after being struck by a vehicle during a traffic stop, police said. The driver was arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of drugs. Matthew Bowen joined the department on June 13, 2023, and was previously a Concord police officer. “He served with the utmost dedication and honor, and his loss is deeply felt by the department, city and community,” the department said in a statement. “He is survived by his wife, two sons, parents and brother.” The intersection of Leisure Town Road and Orange Drive is closed as officers investigate, police said. There is no estimated time for the road to reopen. The westbound freeway ramp is also closed near the scene of the crash. California Highway Patrol responded to the crash just before 10:30 a.m. CHP said the driver of the vehicle that struck Bowen attempted to run from the scene but was stopped by bystanders who witnessed the crash. CHP identified the driver as 24-year-old Serena Rodriguez of Auburn. She was reportedly driving under the influence of drugs, officials said. A severely damaged police motorcycle was visible at the scene. Crews on the scene also observed a gray sedan with extensive damage to the front bumper, along with a Vacaville police motorcycle that had been torn in half. Another vehicle with damage to the left rear wheel and a fourth vehicle were also involved. The CHP Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT), along with a Fairfield Police Department patrol vehicle, are on the scene. Vacaville police said Bowen was taken to Kaiser Hospital after the crash and was pronounced dead. “It is with great gratitude that we thank our neighboring organizations who have shown tremendous support during this time. We ask that the public respect the family’s privacy as they deal with this heartbreaking loss,” Vacaville police said. The city’s police chief will release a statement at 6:30 p.m. Flowers have been laid outside the police station. CHP said Rodriguez was taken into custody and booked into the Solano County Jail on charges of murder and DUI resulting in injury or death. Gov. Gavin Newsom released the following statement: “Jennifer and I join loved ones, friends and colleagues in mourning the loss of Officer Matthew Bowen, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty today. We are grateful for the many brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities. Officer Bowen’s service and sacrifice will not be forgotten.” California State Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, released the following statement: “I am terribly saddened to learn of the passing of Officer Bowen, who dedicated his life to keeping our community safe. I join all of the residents of North Bay in mourning his loss and extend my sincere condolences to Officer Bowen’s family and his law enforcement colleagues.”See more coverage of California’s top stories here | Download our app.
A Vacaville police officer was killed in the line of duty Thursday morning after being struck by a vehicle during a traffic stop, police said. The driver was arrested, allegedly under the influence of drugs.
Matthew Bowen joined the department on June 13, 2023 and was previously a Concord police officer.
“He served with the highest degree of dedication and honor, and his loss is deeply felt by the department, the city and the community,” the department said in a statement. “He is survived by his wife, two sons, parents and brother.”
The intersection of Leisure Town Road and Orange Drive is closed while officers investigate, police said. There is no estimated time for the road to reopen. The westbound freeway ramp is also closed near the scene of the crash.
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The California Highway Patrol responded to the accident just before 10:30 a.m.
CHP reports that the driver of the vehicle that struck Bowen attempted to run from the scene of the crash but was stopped by bystanders who witnessed the accident.
CHP identified the driver as 24-year-old Serena Rodriguez of Auburn. She was believed to be driving under the influence of drugs, officials said.
A badly damaged police motorcycle could be seen at the scene.
Our crews on scene also observed a gray sedan with extensive damage to the front bumper, along with a Vacaville police motorcycle that was torn in half. There is also another vehicle involved with damage to the left rear wheel and a fourth vehicle.
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The CHP Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) is on the scene along with a Fairfield Police Department patrol car.
According to Vacaville police, Bowen was taken to Kaiser Hospital after the crash, where he died.
“It is with great gratitude that we thank our neighboring organizations who have shown tremendous support during this time. We ask that the public respect the family’s privacy as they deal with this heartbreaking loss,” the Vacaville Police Department said.
The city’s police chief will make a statement at 6:30 p.m. Flowers have been laid in front of the police station.
CHP reported that Rodriguez was arrested and booked into the Solano County Jail on suspicion of murder and driving under the influence resulting in injury or death.
Governor Gavin Newsom released the following statement: “Jennifer and I join loved ones, friends and colleagues in mourning the loss of Officer Matthew Bowen, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty today. We are grateful for the many brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities. Officer Bowen’s service and sacrifice will not be forgotten.”
California State Senator Bill Dodd, D-Napa, released the following statement: “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Officer Bowen, who dedicated his life to keeping our community safe. I join all of the North Bay residents in mourning his loss and offer my sincere condolences to Officer Bowen’s family and his law enforcement colleagues.”
See more coverage of California’s top stories here | Download our app.