CHP officer dies after Truckee crash

A California Highway Patrol officer who died from injuries suffered in a car collision over the weekend on Interstate Highway 80 near Truckee previously spent three years serving the San Jose area, an agency spokesman said Monday.

Officer Nathan Daniel Taylor was investigating a collision on westbound Highway 80 at Castle Peak Road near Donner Pass just before 2:30 p.m. Saturday when a car hit him, CHP officials said.

Taylor suffered major injuries and was transported to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, Nevada, according to the CHP.

He died late Sunday night while surrounded by his family, friends and officers from the CHP Gold Run-area office when he died, CHP officials said.

Taylor, 35, of Rocklin, graduated from the CHP Academy in 2010 and worked in the agency’s San Jose-area office before being transferred to the Gold Run area in January 2013.

He leaves behind his wife Rebecca; three sons ages 3, 5, and 8; parents Jeff and Linda; and two brothers, one of whom is a CHP officer.

From 2010 to 2013, Taylor worked at the San Jose-area office, where he was assigned to patrol, CHP Officer Ross Lee said.

Taylor was an intelligent and “service-oriented” person who was devoted to his family, Lee said:

“You’d be very hard-pressed to find anything less than the highest level of service from him.”

Taylor’s passing was “shocking and surreal,” and many people in the San Jose office are still processing the news, Lee said.

Gov. Jerry Brown was among several state officials who released statements Monday mourning the officer’s death:

“Anne and I extend our heartfelt condolences to Officer Taylor’s family, friends and the entire California Highway Patrol community. We are grateful for Officer Taylor, who served the state with great distinction.”

Flags at the state Capitol will be flown at half-staff to honor Taylor, according to the governor’s office.

CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow said in a statement:

“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.”

Attorney General Kamala Harris said in a statement:

“On behalf of the California Department of Justice, I extend my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of California Highway Patrol Officer Nathan Taylor. … I also extend my condolences to Commissioner Joe Farrow and all the brave men and women of the California Highway Patrol. This tragedy is a grave reminder of the dangers our law enforcement officers face each day in service of their communities and our great state.”