Simi Valley police continue investigating fatal crash

Jan. 03--Simi Valley police continue investigating a fatal traffic collision that killed an off-duty Los Angeles Police Department officer in the early hours of 2017.

Heather Monroe, 30, who had worked out of the Devonshire Division in the San Fernando Valley, died at the scene, officials said. The accident happened at 2:11 a.m. Sunday at the intersection of Sycamore Drive and Cochran Street, an intersection of mostly strip malls.

Monroe lived in Simi Valley, police said.

Simi Valley Cmdr. Robert Brill said Monday no arrests have been made or charges filed in the accident. Police spent 11 hours at the scene immediately following the crash and said after that it appeared one of the drivers failed to stop for a red light.

"Losing an officer is devastating, but the pain is intensified for the men and women of the department when it happens during what is supposed to be the happiest time of the year," LAPD spokesperson Josh Rubenstein wrote in a release about the incident.

The department has not responded to additional requests seeking further information about Monroe.

Among the things investigators were looking at was a surveillance video of the crash, Simi Valley police said on Tuesday.

Monroe was a passenger in the vehicle that collided with another being used as an Uber, police said. She was apparently wearing her seat belt. Both drivers and the Uber passenger were treated for non-life threatening injuries at a local hospital, police said.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the officer's family, the LAPD and the law enforcement community," Uber wrote in an emailed statement. "We are thankful police have confirmed our driver partner and her passenger were not seriously injured and wish all of the injured parties a speedy recovery."

The Uber passenger had called for a ride after drinking alcohol at a New Year's Eve celebration, police said.

To drive an Uber, the company requires proof of a driver's license, vehicle registration and insurance, among other things. There are also other checks.

"All Uber ridesharing partners must go through a rigorous background check process we've developed across the United States, which includes county, federal and multi-state checks," an Uber spokesperson told The Star in 2015.

A vehicle must also have four doors, according to Uber's website.

Anyone with information on the crash can call Simi police at 583-6950.

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