City Officials Dedicate Van Nuys Intersection In Memory Of Fallen LAPD Motor Officer

VAN NUYS (CBSLA.com) — An intersection was dedicated Thursday to a Los Angeles Police Department motorcycle officer who was fatally struck by an SUV.

Councilmember Paul Krekorian unveiled memorial signs around 11:30 a.m. at "Officer Chris Cortijo Memorial Square," which will be permanently located at the intersection of Van Nuys Boulevard and Arminta Street.

On April 5, 2014, Chris Cortijo, 51, -- a 26-year LAPD veteran who formerly served as a Marine -- was struck around 5:30 p.m. in the area of Lankershim Boulevard and Saticoy Street, according to police.

A preliminary investigation revealed Cortijo waited at a red light when an allegedly impaired driver slammed her Chevrolet Blazer into the back of his motorcycle.

The collision subsequently trapped him between the SUV and a Honda Accord that stopped in front of him.

Cortijo succumbed to his injuries on April, 9, 2014.

Police explained he was on his way to assist with a DUI arrest at the time of the collision.

The driver, who was identified as 33-year-old Qaneak Shaney Cobb, of Pacoima, pleaded not guilty to charges of driving under the influence of a drug and being in possession of cocaine.

During his time with the LAPD, Cortijo arrested more than 3,000 drunk drivers across the San Fernando Valley, which prevented an untold number of potential DUI traffic deaths.

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck refers to him as the Valley's "angel of the road."

Thursday marks the one-year anniversary of Cortijo's death.