The driver of a dump truck who collided with an LAPD patrol car in Beverly Hills last year, killing one officer and injuring another, was charged with vehicular manslaughter Monday.Roberto Maldonado was arrested Feb. 27 in connection with the crash that killed Officer Nick Lee.
Lee and his partner were responding to a call around 8 a.m. March 7, 2014, when a truck driven by Maldonado lost control and collided with their patrol car at Robert Lane and Loma Vista Drive.
Maldonado also owned the truck, and prosecutors said he failed to properly maintain its brakes.
Maldonado has been released on $50,000 bail, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
"This was a terrible tragedy and the Los Angeles Police Department thanks the CHP for all their efforts throughout this investigation," Chief Charlie Beck said in a statement.
Lee was a 16 year department veteran who was assigned to the Hollywood area at the time of his death.
"We hope this arrest can bring some small piece of closure to the family. Officer Nick Lee was a great cop and a great man. The LAPD is forever grateful for the 16 years he spent protecting our great city. We will never forget him or his sacrifice."
An earlier version of this story identified the vehicle driven by Maldonado as a cement truck. It was a dump truck.
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