Community Grieves After Lake Elsinore Crash Kills OC Sheriff’s Deputy
“Our focus will be on Brian’s loved ones who lost a husband, a father, a brother, and a son this morning,” OC Sheriff Don Barnes said.
Ashley Ludwig andMiranda Ceja,Patch Staff
Posted Thu, Feb 9, 2023 at 11:51 am PT|Updated Thu, Feb 9, 2023 at 6:13 pm PTReplies (29)
LAKE ELSINORE, CA — A single-car crash on Railroad Canyon Road in Lake Elsinore claimed the life of an Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy, officials confirmed Thursday.
The fatal crash occurred when the off-duty deputy’s vehicle struck a palm tree in the 25300 block of Railroad Canyon Road at 5:15 a.m., according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department spokesperson Maggie Cline De La Rosa. Medics were on the scene within minutes but the deputy was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported.
The law enforcement officer was identified as Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Brian Haney, a Canyon Lake resident, on his way home from the San Juan Capistrano Sheriff’s Station where he worked.
Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said Haney was hired by the department on Aug. 19, 2016, working stints at the Theo Lacey Jail and then in San Juan Capistrano, where he was a member of the Critical Incident Response Team.
“His brothers and sisters in our department described him as a quick learner, hard worker, and team player,” Barnes said. “He was known for his infectious smile, humorous and timely wit, and love for his peers.”
Let’s go!
Haney was also a member of the Air Force Reserve, Barnes said
“Our focus will be on Brian’s loved ones who lost a husband, a father, a brother, and a son this morning,” the sheriff said. “We are also focused on our department family who are recovering from our loss of a partner.”
Haney leaves behind his wife and his one-month-old child, Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley said in a statement.
“Today, Orange County Deputy Brian Haney tragically lost his life on this way home from a shift of keeping San Juan Capistrano families safe,” Foley said in a statement. “I’m grateful for his service, and my heart goes out to Deputy Haney’s loved ones. His young family will need our strong community support through the grief.”
San Juan Capistrano Mayor Howard Hart wrote online that he was “shocked and deeply saddened” at Haney’s death.
“I am especially devastated to learn that he leaves behind a loving wife and a newborn baby to whom he was returning home after protecting and serving our community when this terrible accident occurred,” Hart wrote. “I know my San Juan Capistrano neighbors will join me in prayers of comfort and support for Deputy Haney’s family and loved ones.”
Following the crash, family members and Orange County Sheriff’s Department personnel gathered for mutual support at Canyon Lake City Hall’s former library, Canyon Lake Mayor Jeremy Smith reported.
Dozens of the fallen lawman’s comrades gathered at the crash scene and saluted as his body — draped in an American flag — was removed from the vehicle and placed into a hearse. Just after 11 a.m., a law enforcement procession began, transporting the remains eastbound to the Riverside County coroner’s facility in Perris.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department was handling the crash investigation.
“Our greatest sorrow and condolences are for the member’s family and closest friends,” a spokesperson for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department wrote on Twitter. “During this time, we are collaborating with the Riverside Sheriff’s Department as we prepare to honor our fallen member.”
