Dennis RomeroThe Los Angeles Police Department today identified the officer who died in an off-duty collision in Beverly Hills as Ernest L. Allen Sr., a 27-year veteran of the force.
The 52-year-old Southwest Division detective was killed in almost the same spot as on-duty patrol officer Christopher Lee, who died in a similar fashion two months ago when a heavy truck hit the LAPD cruiser he was in.
See also: Off-Duty Officer Is 2nd LAPD Cop to Die on Same Beverly Hills Street
Allen was in a pick-up truck yesterday when it was struck by a cement-mixing rig …
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… at Loma Vista Drive and Drury Lane, not far from the city's historic Greystone Mansion. Beverly Hills authorities say they got the call at 1:53 p.m.
Credit: Chief Charlie Beck/Instagram
Allen, who also worked at the 77th Street Division, the Wilshire Division, the Rampart Division and the Southwest Division during his career, was dead at the scene.
When his body was extracted and carried to a coroner's van a makeshift honor procession of officers and first responders was there. LAPD Chief Charlie Beck, who said he had known Allen for “decades,” rushed to the scene and indicated that he was in disbelief that such a tragedy could have happened twice.
Beverly Hills officials quickly responded to the accident, noting it was the third serious crash on the same, steep street involving a “heavy haul truck.”
According to a statement, the city suspended “heavy hall” transportation on the street as a result:
Credit: Ted Soqui for LA Weekly
The City of Beverly Hills has suspended all heavy haul deliveries to and pick up from construction sites in the Trousdale area for 30 days or until measures are in place to ensure that the deliveries can be made safely.
Officer Christopher Lee died on the same stretch of Loma Linda March 7 after the black-and-white he was in was struck by a dump truck-type rig. Then, on May 2, a cement-mixing truck crashed into several parked cars on Loma Linda.
Allen was the fifth LAPD cop to die this year and the fourth to die in a traffic accident. George S. Nagata Jr., reportedly died this month as a result of health issues. Roberto Sanchez, died in a police pursuit Saturday after the patrol car he was in was allegedly struck by a friend of the man he was chasing. Chris Cortijo was on his patrol motorcycle when he was hit by an alleged DUI driver in April.
Credit: Ted Soqui for LA Weekly
Allen is survived by his mother, two children, two grandchildren, a sister and a fiancé, the LAPD said in a statement.
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