Driver Accused Of Killing CHP Officer Released On Bail

SOLANO COUNTY, CA — The arraignment of a Rocklin man charged with the gross vehicular manslaughter of a California Highway Patrol motorcycle officer and a Vallejo man last week was postponed in Solano County Superior Court today until Sept. 12 after he posted $90,000 bail this morning, according to the Solano County District Attorney's Office.

Sean Matthew Walker, 36, was speeding on the shoulder of westbound Interstate Highway 80 while accessing his cellphone when his Chevrolet pickup truck struck CHP Officer Kirk Anthony Griess, 46, and Jaime Bueza Manuel, 49, of Vallejo, around 9 a.m. Friday, prosecutors said.

Griess, a 19-year CHP veteran, had pulled Manuel's Saturn SUV over on Highway 80 near Manuel Campos Parkway.

"There is no way to determine the reason for the stop," CHP Officer Erica Tatum said this afternoon."Investigators are trying to determine where he (Griess) was at the time."

Walker was speeding at the time of the collision and was completely on the shoulder, Tatum said.

The district attorney's office and the CHP said Walker was distracted at the time of the crash.

"This was gross negligence," District Attorney Krishna Abrams said Wednesday.

Walker was hospitalized after the crash but was released last Friday.

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Memorial Services for Griess are set for 11 a.m. Friday at The Father's House Church, located at 4800 Horse Creek Drive in Vacaville. Internment is private and members of the public are invited to line the funeral procession routes to honor Griess and his family.

A memorial account has been created for the family of Officer Griess through the California Association of Highway Patrolmen (CAHP) Credit Union. Donations can be made online at Cahpcu.org/OfficerKirkGriessMemorial or may be mailed to the CAHP Credit Union, PO Box 276507, Sacramento, CA 95826. Condolences may be sent to: California Highway Patrol, Solano Area, 3050 Travis Blvd. Fairfield, CA 94534.

Regarding Manuel, the Saturn driver also killed in the crash, CHP Capt. Mark Headrick said CHP has visited his Vallejo residence and spoken with his family. Manuel was originally from the Philippines, and Headrick said CHP worked with the Philippines consulate in order to contact Manuel's wife.

"This last week has been tragic, not only for the CHP family but for other families involved; our hearts go out to the Griess family and to the Manuel family," Headrick said.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

Photo via Solano County Sheriff's Office