05 October 2023 , 15:32
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A motorcycle officer who survived the horrific 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting died in a crash when his police motorcycle was hit by a car.
Chad Swanson, 35, who worked in Manhattan Beach, a suburb of Los Angeles, was heading to work when the crash happened shortly after 5am on Interstate 405 in Carson.
Californian Highway Patrol Officer Steve Carapia the car that hit Chad’s police motorcycle was initially hit by another vehicle that likely made “an unsafe lane change.” Investigators continue to work the case to find out if another vehicle may have been involved.
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The twisted wreckage left in the aftermath of the crash (CBS Los Angeles)Chad was rushed to hospital but died there. A second person was also taken to hospital with minor injuries. Manhattan Beach Police Lieutenant Kelly Benjamin said Chad was married with three sons.
Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him
Lt Benjamin said: "We’re hurting, we’re grieving."
The entire Manhattan Beach community is mourning the loss of an officer who dedicated his career to ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents," said Manhattan Beach Mayor Richard Montgomery. "His fearless contributions to our community and beyond were marked by bravery, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to duty."
Manhattan Beach Police Officer Chad Swanson died in hospital (Manhattan Beach PD)Chad had been in the crowd at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival in Las Vegas on October 1 2017 when a gunman opened from a hotel room overlooking the area.
Mass shooter Stephen Paddock, 64, fired more than 1,000 rounds over 11 minutes killing 58. After killing dozens and injuring hundreds of others, he then shot himself dead as police assembled in the hallway outside his hotel room.
Lt Benjamin said Chad had helped get shooting victims and others out of the area. He was a 13 year veteran of the department and became a motorcycle officer in 2017.
The area near The Fabulous Las Vegas Sign became a memorial for the victims after the 2017 mass shooting (NurPhoto via Getty Images)Following the Las Vegas mass shooting and another massacre at the Parkland school shooting that claimed 17 lives, Donald Trump's administration banned bump stocks. Owners had 90 days to turn them in or destroy them.
An FBI report published a year after the attack described how Paddock, armed to the teeth with high-powered rifles, had taken "multiple, calculated" steps ahead of the attack.
Police Officer Chad Swanson speaks about his experience during the mass shooting where he sustained non-life-threatening injuries (AP)It also revealed he had wanted to attain a degree of infamy through a mass-casualty atrocity - and was influenced by the memory of his criminal dad. But despite wanting to do "the maximum amount of damage", there was found to be no clear motive for his massacre on October 1, 2017.
More than 800 people were injured in the horrific rampage, which took place at the Route 91 Harvest music festival on the Las Vegas Strip. Among the deceased victims was a husband who died shielding his wife.