Jackson, CA…On 06-13-2021, at approximately 1954 hours, Amador Area Officer Dave Ward, ID 16661, was driving a fully marked Chevrolet Tahoe patrol vehicle, and was stopped on the north side of SR-88, east of Eggiman Lane, in unincorporated Amador County. Officer Ward observed the suspect vehicle traveling westbound on SR-88, east of his location at a high rate of speed, verified at 107 MPH via radar. As the suspect vehicle approached his location, Officer Ward activated the patrol vehicle’s light bar. The suspect slowed as he passed; however, when Officer Ward entered SR-88 behind the suspect vehicle the suspect accelerated away. Officer Ward broadcast a failure to yield and approximately 22 seconds later, the suspect attempted to pass westbound traffic and struck a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction.

There were two parties in the victim vehicle, one of which sustained fatal injuries and one sustained major injuries. There were two parties in the suspect vehicle, the driver sustained major injuries and the passenger sustained fatal injuries.

Valley MAIT is investigating with assistance from Amador Area. SR-88 will be closed for an extended time and CalTrans has a hard closure using SR-124, SR-104 and SR-16 as a detour.

One local media source was on scene and has departed. ENTAC was notified.

Source = CHP Amador