CHP Officer Killed on Side of Road

Tuesday, October 3, 1995

Officer Bruce T. Hinman was on routine motorcycle patrol on State Route 170 at U.S. Highway 101 when he stopped to assist a disabled motorist. A drunk driver traveling at 60 m.p.h. along U.S. Highway 101 attempted to change routes by driving over a raised berm, then across the freeway and onto the dirt shoulder where he crashed into the disabled vehicle. The impact spun the disabled vehicle around, striking the motorist, who was using the freeway call box, and knocking Officer Hinman to the ground. The car came to rest with its rear wheels on top of the officer’s chest, suffocating him. Officer Hinman, 34, was placed on life support but died a week later. He was a nine-year member of the CHP and was assigned to the West Valley Area office directly after graduating from the Academy.