Ventura County Deputy Killed In Crash Involving Man Suspected Of Drunken Driving

CAMARILLO (CBSLA.com) — A Ventura County sheriff's deputy is being remembered by co-workers after being struck and killed Tuesday by a in a crash involving a motorist suspected of driving while intoxicated.

The accident occurred in the northbound lanes of the 101 Freeway at Lewis Road about 1:15 a.m. as deputy Eugene Kostiuchenko was wrapping up an unrelated traffic stop.

Investigators said the deputy was walking back to his squad car when he was struck by a vehicle driven by Kevin Hogrefe, 25, of Camarillo. Hogrefe's vehicle then sideswiped the deputy's car. Hogrefe, who suffered minor injuries, was eventually stopped 2 miles away after striking some plants and was arrested by the California Highway Patrol.

On Tuesday afternoon, CBS2's Cristy Fajardo said from the mourning bands being worn on badges to people bearing flowers in the lobby at the sheriff's station in Camarillo, deputies were honoring Kostiuchenko.

A native of Ukraine who had been with the Ventura department for 11 years, Kostiuchenko, 41, had been  assigned to Camarillo for the past year.

"Very driven, compassionate, great sense of humor," Sgt. Denise Silva said. "You know, just very eager to learn, We're really going to miss him."

The Sheriff's Department says Hogrefe has one previous conviction for driving under the influence in Nevada. A picture on the Facebook page that appear's to be Hogrefe's shows him with drinks in both hands.

Hogrefe faces charges of felony DUI, felony hit-and-run and vehicular manslaughter, according to the CHP.

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Ventura Co. Sheriff's Deputy Killed By Suspected DUI Driver On 101 Freeway