Murder charge in California Highway Patrol officer’s death

MURRIETA, Calif. (AP) — A 36-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder in the traffic collision death of a California Highway Patrol motorcycle officer last weekend.

The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office says Michael Joseph Callahan of Winchester will be arraigned on the single count Wednesday afternoon at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta.

CHP Sgt. Steve Licon was fatally struck Saturday after pulling over a car on the shoulder of Interstate 15 in Lake Elsinore.

Authorities allege Callahan was driving under the influence of alcohol as he traveled on the highway’s right shoulder, not in traffic lanes.

Callahan had a 2004 misdemeanor DUI conviction and was sentenced to three years of probation.

The DA’s office says he was required to attend classes about the dangers of drinking and driving.