Murder Charges Filed In Freeway Death Of CHP Officer

ALAMEDA COUNTY, CA – Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley filed murder charges this morning against a man suspected of driving under the influence in a crash that killed a California Highway Patrol officer on Christmas Eve.

Hayward resident Mohammed Ali, 22, is believed to have been under the influence of alcohol and marijuana when he rear-ended a parked patrol car around midnight Dec. 24 on southbound Interstate Highway 880 in Hayward, killing Officer Andrew Camilleri and injuring Officer Jonathan Velasquez.

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.

Funeral services were held Saturday in Tracy and Stockton for the fallen officer, Camilleri, a 33-year-old husband and father of three from Tracy, who began his CHP career in August 2016. He was killed and his partner injured when their patrol car,which was parked on the I-880 shoulder near the Winton Avenue on-ramp, was hit by Ali, allegedly speeding in a red Cadillac, according to officials.

There have been six deaths related to alleged DUI collisions in Alameda County since Thanksgiving, O'Malley said.

"That loss of life is avoidable, if every driver acts responsibly and lawfully," O'Malley said.

"Over the holidays, hundreds of arrests were made for driving under the influence in Alameda County," O'Malley said. "When we will we say enough is enough?"

Assistant Chief Ernie Sanchez, commander of the CHP's Golden Gate Division, said the message is clear.

"Drinking and driving is socially unacceptable," Sanchez said. "Smoking marijuana and driving is as unacceptable."

The Alameda County District Attorney's Office is providing support and resources to the families of the officers through their victim-witness assistance program.

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.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Fallen CHP Officer's Funeral Services Set For Saturday
• Memorial Funds For Fallen CHP Officer Launched

ALSO SEE:

• Woman Hit By New Year's 'Celebratory' Bullet
  
• Fire Breaks Out At Tri-City Restaurant

--Bay City News contributed to this report/Photos courtesy of California Highway Patrol, Alameda County Fire Department