BPD_126
09-27-2008, 02:36 PM
Off-duty police officers involved in fatal car wreck in Wyandotte County
Early morning fatal car accident in western Wyandotte County
An off-duty Kansas City, Kan., police officer died in an early morning traffic crash today prompting another officer who was driving at the time to later commit suicide, authorities said.
Police Chief Sam Breshears announced that Mark A. Jaramillo, 38, a decorated five-year veteran of the department, was killed in the one-vehicle accident about 1 a.m. this morning at the intersection of interstates 435 and 70 in Wyandotte County.
According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, Jaramillo was a passenger in a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe that was on the ramp from southbound I-435 to westbound I-70 when it left the road and rolled several times down an embankment.
Jaramillo, who was not wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the patrol.
The patrol reported that Kyle L. Kovac, 31, also a five-year member of the department, was driving, but escaped serious injury. The patrol said it was unknown if he was wearing a seat belt.
Later in the morning, police received information that Kovac was distraught over the death of Jaramillo and when police went to his apartment they found him dead of an apparent suicide, according to a statement from Breshears.
Both men worked as patrol officers.
Jaramillo was honored earlier this year with a police department certificate of commendation and in 2006 he received the department’s distinguished service award. Kovac also received a certificate of commendation in 2004.
Kansas City, Kan., police and the Kansas Highway Patrol are conducting a joint investigation.
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Early morning fatal car accident in western Wyandotte County
An off-duty Kansas City, Kan., police officer died in an early morning traffic crash today prompting another officer who was driving at the time to later commit suicide, authorities said.
Police Chief Sam Breshears announced that Mark A. Jaramillo, 38, a decorated five-year veteran of the department, was killed in the one-vehicle accident about 1 a.m. this morning at the intersection of interstates 435 and 70 in Wyandotte County.
According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, Jaramillo was a passenger in a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe that was on the ramp from southbound I-435 to westbound I-70 when it left the road and rolled several times down an embankment.
Jaramillo, who was not wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the patrol.
The patrol reported that Kyle L. Kovac, 31, also a five-year member of the department, was driving, but escaped serious injury. The patrol said it was unknown if he was wearing a seat belt.
Later in the morning, police received information that Kovac was distraught over the death of Jaramillo and when police went to his apartment they found him dead of an apparent suicide, according to a statement from Breshears.
Both men worked as patrol officers.
Jaramillo was honored earlier this year with a police department certificate of commendation and in 2006 he received the department’s distinguished service award. Kovac also received a certificate of commendation in 2004.
Kansas City, Kan., police and the Kansas Highway Patrol are conducting a joint investigation.
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