CHP

Halloween is here, please, be responsible and drive sober or designate a sober driver. Remember, buzzed driving is drunk driving. If you see a suspected impaired driver, call 911. #CaliDDP

The Solano CHP participated with Pink Heals of Solano County, in delivering a donation to Allyson on Sunday, October 25, 2020. Allyson is thirteen years old and is getting ready to begin immunity quarantine for cancer treatment. Pink Heals of Solano County provided the donation for Allyson using proceeds earned from a cupcake fundraiser. We are rooting for you Allyson! Stay strong!

UPDATE: Highway 12, eastbound and westbound lanes are now open. Eastbound Highway 12 between Walters Road and Scally Lane is now open. Westbound Highway 12 remains closed due to fire activity. Please avoid the area.

On October 24, 2020, at 8:08 PM, a solo motorcycle collision occurred on Mankas Corner Road, west of Ledgewood Road. Witnesses stated a blue Harley Davidson motorcycle was traveling east on Mankas Corner Road and failed to negotiate a sharp right curve in the roadway. The motorcycle traveled off the road and into a trench, where the it collided with a concrete ledge. Multiple witnesses stopped at the scene to assist. The rider was transported to Northbay Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased. It is currently unknown if alcohol and/or drugs are a factor.

Major Injury Pursuit October 23, 2020 at 5:07 p.m., Solano Area Officer Scott Heitman, was driving on Interstate 80 eastbound, just east of Pitt School Road, in heavy stop and go traffic. Officer Heitman observed a gray Ford F150 pickup truck pass his location on the right shoulder at approximately 60 miles per hour. Officer Heitman positioned his patrol vehicle behind the Ford and an enforcement stop was initiated. The Ford did not yield to the patrol vehicles lights and sir...en. The Ford proceeded to rapidly accelerate while using the right shoulder. Traffic on the freeway decreased and Officer Heitman used the #1 lane (fast lane) to track the Ford. The Ford accelerated to an estimated 85 miles per hour when the driver intentionally (later verified by the driver’s statement and video recording) drove across the grass shoulder and collided with a large tree. After the collision, the truck immediately burst into flames. Officer Heitman used his fire extinguisher, after which he and a bystander (off duty California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations Officer) attempted to remove the combative driver. With help from the bystander, Officer Heitman was able to rescue the driver from the burning Ford. The driver suffered major injuries and was transported to Kaiser Permanente for medical treatment. The driver will be receiving care for his personal wellbeing prior to release from Kaiser Permanente. Felony charges for evading arrest in a reckless manner have been filed with the Solano County District Attorney’s Office. See more

Today, after over 38 years with the California Highway Patrol, Commissioner Warren Stanley has announced his retirement effective November 17, 2020. He has expr...essed his gratitude to Governor Newsom, and his staff, for the years of partnership and support. He would also like to thank the public for the opportunity to serve you all. Finally, he would like to congratulate Deputy Commissioner Amanda Ray on her appointment to Commissioner on November 17, 2020. Deputy Commissioner Ray has been a pioneer for women in law enforcement as the first female in the CHP’s 91-year history to hold the position of Commissioner for the nation’s largest state police agency. Throughout her career, she has actively engaged with the communities she serves, seeking every opportunity to participate in outreach events, and active involvement in departmental programs to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security to the people of California.

On October 21, 2020, at 6:37 pm, the Solano Area California Highway Patrol responded to a motorcycle collision with an ambulance responding on the Interstate 80 westbound off-ramp to Manuel Campos Parkway. A motorcycle rider was riding with a group of other motorcycles when the group exited Interstate 80 at the Manuel Campos off-ramp. The driver of a 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle left the roadway, crashed into a drainage trench and received major injuries. The motorcyclist was transported to Kaiser Permanente Vacaville where he was pronounced deceased. Alcohol and/or drugs is not suspected to be a factor in this collision.

Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens, ahead of any type of injury, disease, or violence. The CHP is partnering with the National Highwa...y Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to encourage parents and guardians to discuss driver safety with their young drivers. Discussions about safe driving include avoiding distractions such as cell phones, using seat belts, obeying speed limits, not driving impaired, and limiting the number of passengers. The CHP provides free education to help keep teen drivers alive in its Start Smart course, offered by all CHP offices. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, classes are being held online. Contact your local CHP Area office for information on how to enroll: https://www.chp.ca.gov/find-an-office

The Solano Area is deeply saddened to report the passing of Senior Volunteer, Ramesh Ram Shamarao, V36517. Mr. Shamarao passed away peacefully at his residence on October 12, 2020, he was 78 years old. Mr. Shamarao served as a California Highway Patrol Senior Volunteer for 13 years. During Mr. Shamarao’s 13 years of service, he helped develop a successful Age Well Drive Smart Program within the Solano Area and was highly respected amongst his peers. During this time, Mr. Shamarao also served as a volunteer for the Vallejo Police Department. Mr. Shamarao is survived by his wife, Shylaja Shamarao, his two sons, and his two granddaughters. He left the Solano Area with a positive reflection of life and he will never be forgotten.

The Solano Area CHP, along with other agencies, were contacted by a father who was excited to relate, his daughter inspires to become a first responder and is very interested in a career as a California Highway Patrol Officer. He also related her birthday was approaching and he wanted to surprise her with a first responder birthday parade. All resources united and we made the request happen today. Thank you for including us in your special day, we hope you have a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

UPDATE: Interstate 680 southbound is open. Please drive safe. INTERSTATE 680 SOUTHBOUND CLOSURE Interstate 680 southbound is closed at Lake Herman Road for a solo, minor injury, tractor-trailer collision. Please use an alternative route.

NEW COMMANDER CHOSEN FOR SOLANO CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICE California Highway Patrol Chief Chris Costigan announced the selection of Captain Steve West as the new commander of the Solano Area office located in Fairfield. The Solano Area CHP is responsible for all of the unincorporated roadways and freeways in Solano County. Captain West is a 21-year law enforcement veteran and replaces Captain Mark Headrick, who was selected to command the Department’s Air Operations ...Section in Sacramento. Captain West has worked for the California Highway Patrol since 1999, beginning as a patrol officer in the Marin Area. He has served in several CHP Areas including the Solano Area, Castro Valley Area, and the Cordelia Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Facility (CVEF). West has worked on many task forces and committees and was selected to work in specialized units at both the CHP Academy and CHP Headquarters. In 2017, he was selected as the Commander of the CVEF. In 2018, he was selected for promotion to Captain of the Professional Training Section at CHP Headquarters in Sacramento. Captain West attended Chapman University where he completed his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice Degree. He has a Master of Arts Degree in Management from American Military University. Captain West is a 31-year military veteran, currently serving as a Chief Master Sergeant in the Reserves on the Headquarters Air Force Staff, Pentagon, Washington D.C. He is a longtime resident of Solano County with deep roots in the community. As a resident of Solano County for over 40 years, I’m honored to represent the CHP in this beloved county. I’m proud to work with such professional uniformed and non-uniformed staff that work tirelessly to improve public safety every day. As public servants, we work for you, and I look forward to building upon our strong community relationships, unified as we make this county the greatest place to live, travel, and work.