CHP Motorcycle Officer Killed by Suspected Drunk Driver

IRVINE —  A California Highway Patrol sergeant was struck and killed on his motorcycle early Friday in a head-on collision with an alleged drunk driver who swerved into oncoming traffic, authorities said.

Police arrested a 25-year-old man from Trabuco Canyon at the scene after the accident occurred about 4:20 a.m. The suspect, Javier Uribe Chaparro, was unhurt.

Sgt. John L. Steel, 47, was on his way to work at the CHP office in Santa Ana when his motorcycle was hit. Following department policy, Steel had left his home in uniform and was riding his CHP motorcycle.

“He was a good one. We always lose the good ones,” said CHP Officer Caryn Juelke as she investigated the accident. “He’s an excellent motorcycle rider.”

Chaparro was booked into Orange County Jail in Santa Ana on suspicion of manslaughter and of driving under the influence of alcohol, said CHP Officer Angel Johnson. Bail was set at $250,000 and Chaparro is scheduled for arraignment Monday.

Steel lived with his wife and two teen-age boys in Lake Forest. He had worked at the Santa Ana CHP office for 10 years, supervising the motorcycle officers there. Steel is the fourth CHP officer to be killed in Orange County in the department’s history.