Laguna Beach Motor Officer Killed in Traffic Collision

An investigation was underway Sunday into the death of a Laguna Beach Police officer who was killed in a traffic collision, authorities said.

Officer Jon Coutchie (Laguna Beach PD)

Officer Jon Coutchie, who was on duty at the time, was driving his motorcycle when it collided with a Chevrolet pickup truck around 11 p.m. Saturday on S. Pacific Coast Highway at Cleo St. in Laguna Beach.

The officer’s motorcycle collided with a truck

Witnesses rushed to assist the fallen officer.

“As soon as I saw him go down, I ran up to help the poor guy and he was already lifeless,” Ian Paul said.

Paul, who was walking in the area at the time, said he stayed with the officer as another pedestrian administered CPR.

“I tried to talk to the officer and there was no response,” Paul said.

Members of the Laguna Beach Police Department were said to be devastated by the news.

On Sunday morning officers could be seen crying and hugging as they placed flowers near the crash site.

Coutchie, 42, was born in Tucson, and raised in Orange County where he graduated from Laguna Hills High School in 1989.

Distraught officers leave flowers at the scene of the crash (KTLA)

The California Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash.