BBQ Fundraiser Set For Fallen CHP Officer's Family

HAYWARD, CA – An all-day fundraising event to honor fallen Officer Andrew Camilleri and support his family is planned Tuesday, Jan. 9 at Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que in Hayward, organized by the California Highway Patrol and Police and Fire: The Fallen Heroes.

The event will run 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and feature, not only great barbecue, but also raffle prizes and a live auction in the bar during evening hours, according to the Walnut Creek-based Fallen Heroes organization.

Camilleri, a 33-year-old husband and father of three from Tracy, was killed and his partner, Officer Jonathan Velasquez, injured on Christmas Eve when a suspected impaired and speeding driver rear-ended their patrol car parked along southbound Interstate Highway 880 in Hayward.

Murder charges were filed this week against the driver, Hayward resident Mohammed Ali, 22, who was believed to have been under the influence of alcohol and marijuana at the time of the Dec. 24 crash, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley said.

In addition to second-degree murder, the charges against Ali include driving under the influence of alcohol, driving with a blood-alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher causing injuries to Velasquez, driving under the influence of a combination of drugs and alcohol, as well as driving at speeds of over 100 mph, according to O'Malley.

Two memorial funds were established last week for Camilleri's family, one through the CHP Credit Union, available by clicking here.Donations also can be made by sending checks, made payable to "Officer Camilleri Memorial Fund," to P.O. Box 276507, Sacramento, CA 95827.

A second fundraiser, entitled "CHP Officer Andrew Camilleri," was launched on GoFundMe by an individual who said he was among those at the accident scene.

Famous Dave’s in Hayward is at 790 W. Winston Ave.

• ALSO SEE: Celebration Of Life For Woman Killed In Livermore Crash

--Bay City News contributed to this report/Image courtesy of Police and Fire: The Fallen Heroes