Vacaville Police Officer Struck and Killed During Traffic Stop

Traffic Stop on Leisure Town Road Site of Death of Vacaville Police Officer

In a tragic incident on Thursday morning, a Vacaville police officer lost his life after a driver struck him while he was attending to a traffic stop. Police have apprehended the driver, suspected of being under the influence of drugs. Matthew Bowen, who joined the Vacaville Police Department on June 13, 2023, after serving as a police officer in Concord, was killed in the crash. 

Collision on Leisure Town Road Takes the Life of a Vacaville Police Officer

The collision occurred at the intersection of Leisure Town Road and Orange Drive, which remains closed as investigators work at the scene. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) closed the westbound freeway onramp near the crash site.CHP officers were called to the scene just before 10:30 a.m. The driver of the vehicle, identified as a  24-year-old from Auburn, allegedly attempted to flee but was apprehended by bystanders. Authorities believe the driver was under the influence of drugs.

Fatal Crash Being Investigated

Witnesses at the scene involving the Vacaville police officer reported seeing a badly damaged gray sedan, the Vacaville police motorcycle that had been torn in half, another vehicle with damage to its rear left wheel, and a fourth that was involved in the crash. The Multidisciplinary Traffic Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) from CHP, along with a Fairfield Police Department patrol vehicle, are currently conducting the investigation.

Driver Arrested for DUI and Homicide After Death of Vacaville Police Officer

Bowen was transported to Kaiser Hospital following the collision, where he was pronounced dead. In his memory, community members have placed flowers outside the Vacaville police station. The driver has been booked into Solano County jail on charges of homicide and driving under the influence causing injury or death, according to CHP reports.

What Compensation Is Recoverable by Filing a Wrongful Death Claim?

Families who suffer the loss of a loved one in a fatal pedestrian accident due to someone else’s negligence may be eligible for substantial compensation. Typically, the decedent’s surviving spouse, partner, or children initiate the claim. If there is no spouse or children, other family members, such as siblings or parents, may file the claim. Recoverable damages can include:

• Reimbursement for funeral and burial costs
• The deceased’s projected earnings until their expected retirement age, along with insurance and pension benefits, bonuses, and other financial contributions
• Compensation for losses endured by spouses and children
• The economic worth of household tasks the deceased performed, which now necessitate outsourcing, such as lawn care, vehicle maintenance, and tax preparation
• Additionally, other forms of compensation may be considered, depending on the specifics of the case

Attorney Ed Smith offers the following information to help you learn about wrongful death claims:

Wrongful Death Attorney in Vacaville

I’m Ed Smith, and I’m a wrongful death attorney in Vacaville. If your family has suffered the loss of a loved one due to someone else’s negligence in a traffic accident, we offer free and friendly consultations. Reach out to us at (707) 564-1900 or (800) 404-5400 to speak with one of our accident attorneys and find out if you can file a wrongful death lawsuit for compensation. Alternatively, you can use our online form to get in touch.

To see how our team of injury lawyers has successfully assisted others, check out our reviews on Yelp and Google and visit our Settlements and Verdicts page. We take pride in being members of the Million Dollar Advocates and the Top One Percent, which reflects our commitment to excellence.

Photo attribution: Image by Katie Phillips from Pixabay

cd: [625]