State corrections officer and dog killed in crash on SR-79

WARNER SPRINGS (CNS) – A state corrections officer and a dog were killed
in a solo car crash Monday on State Route 79, east of Lake Henshaw.

The marked Ford Crown Victoria veered out of control for unknown reasons
and overturned about a half-mile north of San Felipe Road in the Warner
Springs area shortly before 7:30 a.m., according to the California Highway
Patrol.

Medics took the injured officer to a nearby fire station to be airlifted
to a hospital, but he died before he could be put into an emergency-services
helicopter. His name was withheld pending family notification.

The dog died at the scene of the crash. It was not immediately clear if
the animal was a service canine.

There were no other occupants of the sedan, the CHP reported.

Authorities closed the two-lane rural road in the area to allow for
investigations and cleanup.