Hawthorne Officer in Patrol Car Blamed in Death of Elderly Pedestrian

An investigation by the California Highway Patrol blames the death of an 80-year-old pedestrian crossing the street in Hawthorne on a police officer.

Dong Hee Chun was walking within a marked crosswalk on Rosecrans Avenue at Cerise Avenue on March 8 when she was struck by a police car driven by Hawthorne police Officer Patrick Michael Lane, 33, who was headed west on Rosecrans.

Lane’s car hit Chun, tossing her into the air. Chun was pronounced dead about an hour after the accident occurred. The CHP conducted an investigation, released this week, which concluded that Lane, an 11-year veteran of the Hawthorne Police Department, should have anticipated that a pedestrian might be walking through the crosswalk.

In the report, Lane said he was wearing sunglasses because the sun was in his eyes. After responding to a disturbance call, he was returning to the station for the end of his shift at 5:40 p.m. As he approached the crosswalk, a car in the lane next to him stopped as Chun passed through the crosswalk, but Lane said he did not see her.

The CHP report was handed over to the district attorney’s office, which has not decided whether to file charges.

Lane was on paid leave for one day from the Hawthorne Police Department after the accident, Lt. Jim McInerny said. Lane, who was not available for comment, has returned to duty.

“It is unfortunate for things like that to happen,” McInerny said. “It could happen to any of us driving home tonight.”