Truck Driver In Death Of LAPD Officer Charged With Manslaughter

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A truck driver faced manslaughter charges Monday for a crash that killed an LAPD officer last year.

Roberto Maldonado was arrested Feb. 27 after a nearly yearlong investigation into the accident that took the life of LAPD Officer Nicholas Lee on Mar. 7, 2014, during a traffic collision in Beverly Hills.

Lee and his partner were responding to an "unknown trouble" radio call when a large trash hauler lost control and collided with their patrol car at Robert Lane and Loma Vista Drive, according to police.

Los Angeles Fire Department personnel responded and pronounced Lee dead at the scene, police said. Lee's partner was transported to a local hospital and was later released.

Lee was a 16-year LAPD veteran whose past assignments included the Van Nuys, Wilshire and Hollywood area, according to officials.

"This was a terrible tragedy and the Los Angeles Police Department thanks the CHP for all their efforts throughout this investigation," said LAPD Chief Charlie Beck. "We hope this arrest can bring some small piece of closure to the family."

Maldonado was booked for vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. He was being held on $50,000 bail.