Woman charged for allegedly killing Vacaville PD motorcycle officer: DA

( KRON ) — Serena Rodriguez, 24, was charged with the murder of Matthew Bowen, a Vacaville Police Department motorcycle officer who Rodriguez allegedly killed on Thursday, the Solano County District Attorney said.

On Thursday, Officer Bowen was allegedly killed while on duty by Rodriguez, who, according to Vacaville PD, was driving “under the influence of drugs.”

According to PD, Bowen was conducting a traffic stop on Leisure Town Road and Orange Drive in Vacaville before a separate driver allegedly struck Bowen from behind, later confirmed to be Rodriguez.

Bowen was treated at the scene but succumbed to his injuries in a nearby Kaiser Hospital soon after the crash, PD said. Police said after the crash, Rodrigez attempted to flee on foot but was detained by “bystanders who witnessed the crash.”

Rodriguez was booked into Solano County Jail without bail and was charged with one count for the murder of Officer Bowen. The complaint against Rodriguez further alleges “a Special Circumstance stating that Matthew Bowen… was intentionally killed while he was engaged in the performance of his duties.”

“Today is the day every chief hopes never comes. We lost a tremendous police officer but an even better person this morning,” said Chief Ian Schmutzler of the Vacaville Police Department, who describes Bowen as an officer “with the highest level of dedication and honor.” VPD said his loss was “deeply felt by the department.”

Vacaville PD said Bowen was a husband and father of two sons. Police have since started a fundraising goal of $1 million for Bowen’s loved ones. Donations can be made here.

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