Sheriff’s Deputy Killed in DUI Hit-and-Run Crash

In late October, a Ventura County Sheriff’s deputy was killed in a hit-and-run crash involving a driver suspected of DUI.

Hit-and-Run Accident

Deputy Eugene Kostiuchenko, 41, an 11-year department veteran was just finishing a traffic stop, having allowed the stopped car to leave the scene, and was walking back to his patrol vehicle when he was struck and killed by a Honda. The accident occurred near the Lewis Road on-ramp on the northbound 101 Freeway in Camarillo. The driver of the Honda also “narrowly missed” other deputies who had just arrived to help with the traffic stop. He later crashed on the northbound 101 Freeway near Las Posas Road.

DUI Driver

The 25-year-old driver was later identified as Camarillo resident Kevin Hogrefe. According to authorities, he was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, felony DUI and felony hit-and-run. His bond was set at $100,000. And according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, Hogrefe has a prior DUI conviction in Nevada.

Kostiuchenko

Kostiuchenko pursued his passion for law enforcement just after immigrating to the US from Ukraine, and had become a U.S citizen to be able to do so. He is survived by his wife and two sons.

“When it involves a drunk driver who lives in the community, it has to have a significant impact,” said Sheriff Geoff Dean. “It’s so sad to lose a life. I’ve been standing out here all morning on the freeway — you look up and you realize he’s gone.”

Source: NBC Los Angeles, Driver Arrested on Suspicion of DUI in Hit-and-Run Crash That Killed Deputy, October 28, 2014

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