California Highway Patrol, California
End of Watch: Saturday, October 28, 2000
Age: 33
Tour of Duty: 12 years
Badge Number: 12890
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: October 28, 2000
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 11 years
Officer Sean Nava was killed after he was struck by a drunk driver, on I-5 near Carlsbad, while assisting at a previous accident on I-5, in Carlsbad. Officer Nava was standing in the median approximately six feet from the travel lanes when the incident occurred. He was flown to a local hospital where he died a short time later.
After the collision, the suspect fled the scene, but was later arrested and charged with DUI, hit and run, and manslaughter. A passenger in the vehicle stated that the suspect was aware that he hit something on the freeway before he fled the scene.
The 20-year-old driver was returning home after a night of drinking in Tijuana, Mexico. In 2002 he was convicted of gross vehicular manslaughter, hit-and-run, and sentenced to 11 years.
In 1999, Officer Nava had been awarded the Spirit of Courage Award for his attempts to save a man from a burning vehicle.
Officer Nava had been employed with the California Highway Patrol for 12 years, and is survived by his wife and two children, ages four and seven.