On March 12, 2016 at approximately 2:25 p.m., a California Highway Patrol Officer was providing traffic control at a traffic collision with an ambulance responding in the center divide of I-80 westbound, west of Castle Peak. The CHP Officer was actively directing traffic to the rear of his patrol vehicle getting passing motorists to move over to the right. As he was waving traffic over, Ivy Soon Young Villnow, 19, of Truckee, was driving a Nissan Pathfinder westbound approaching the officer’s location. Traffic began to slow and for reasons under investigation, Villnow changed lanes from the #2 right hand lane to the #1 left hand lane, accelerating and passing slowing traffic. As Villnow proceeded westbound she came upon the CHP Officer directing traffic. Villnow lost control of her Nissan Pathfinder, causing her to collide with the CHP Officer as he was on foot. The Officer was projected several feet, landing face down in the center median snow bank. The vehicle also came to rest in the center median snow bank. A witness to the collision who was also an off-duty EMT, was the first to render aid to the struck officer. CHP Truckee officers were on scene a moment later. The struck officer suffered major injuries and was taken to Renown Medical Center in Reno, NV.
The cause of this collision is still under investigation. Drugs and/or alcohol are ot suspected to be a factor in the collision.
Offer Armacher, ID #019233 is investigating the collision.
CHP OFFICER WHO WAS STRUCK ON SATURDAY PASSES AWAY
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – On Saturday, March 12th at approximately 2:25 p.m., Officer Nathan Daniel Taylor, of the California Highway Patrol’s Gold Run Area, was investigating a traffic collision in the area of westbound Interstate 80 at Castle Peak Road, when he was struck by a vehicle. Officer Taylor suffered major injuries and was transported to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, NV.
Tragically, Officer Taylor, who has been a member of the CHP for almost six years, succumbed to his injuries, and passed away late Sunday night. He was surrounded by his family, friends, and members of the CHP’s Gold Run Area Office.
“It is an incredibly sad day for Officer Taylor’s family, the CHP, and the State of California. The loss of an officer protecting our community is truly devastating! I would personally like to thank all of our partners, including the medical staff who fought so hard on behalf of Officer Taylor. We ask for the public’s continued prayers, support, and trust as we go through this incredibly difficult time,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow.
CHP TO HONOR FALLEN OFFICERA bell ringing ceremony will be held Tuesday in memory of California Highway Patrol (CHP) Officer Nathan Daniel Taylor, who died in the line of duty Sunday, March 13. Officer Taylor was struck by a vehicle Saturday as he was investigating a traffic collision in the area of westbound Interstate 80 at Castle Peak Road in the CHP’s Gold Run Area. Officer Taylor suffered major injuries and was transported to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, NV, where he succumbed to his injuries late last night. Officer Taylor, 35, of Rocklin, was six-year veteran of the CHP. He graduated from the CHP Academy in West Sacramento in October 2010 and was assigned to San Jose Area office. He transferred to the Gold Run Area in January 2013. Officer Taylor is survived by a wife, three sons, both parents, a sister, and three brothers, one of whom is a CHP officer assigned to the Clear Lake Area.
