Off-duty officer, 18-year-old killed in 60 Freeway crash

[someone that matters]

Most people never know the truth of the matter... I know the driver he is a family member... This is an accident plain and simple... Should he have been driving? NO... is it already done, and nothing can change the outcome? YES... Authorities are doing thier job with the investigation. I would hope that everyone would have respect for persons involved. At this time pray is what is needed most for the families at a loss.

Thank you,

[WHAT A STUPID STUPID BOY]

This is a horrible tragedy! I feel REALLY badly for the officer and his family. The courts will decide who is at fault. I believe the boy will be convicted of involuntary manslaughter of, most likely, the off-duty officer and possibly his friend. This would NOT have happened if the 15 year old was not stupid enough to drive a vehicle ILLEGALLY and UNRESPONSIBLY and his friends were not very smart to partake in the joy ride. There are consequences for actions like this. Who knows if the officer would have died or not. Hitting a stalled car while going 60 plus can be deadly with or without a seatbelt. The 18 year old was killed due to the collision itself. No way to prevent that. Let this be a lesson to teenagers reading this. Do NOT be as STUPID as this 15 year old boy or be stupid enough to par take in illegal activity. Anyone who has had enough life experiences and time behind a wheel knows NOT to sit or stay near the wall of a stalled car in the fast lane. Oh and also to at least put the damn emergency lights on if the car stalls. That alone could have saved the two lives....DUH!!!!!!!!!

[dark big dogs]

have 2 dark big dogs

[SGV resident]

jordyn angel wrote:

i knew ryan. he went to my school. he was the funniest guy in the world. its funny how all you people think u know the story...CAUSE YOU DONT KNOW HALF OF IT!!
LET ME JUST SAY THAT HE SAVED MY FRIENDS LIFE BY PUSHING HER OUT OF THE WAY BEFORE THE CAR CAME AND HIT HIM

Well let the rest of us in on it. What happened that was not in the paper?
If what you say about him pushing the girl out of the way is true he is a hero. I don't think anyone was badmouthing Ryan. But this 15 yr. olds life is ruined because of a stupid stunt or action.

[unbelievable]

My son went ot school with Ryan and knew him. He said he was a real funny guy and very nice to everyone. I think what we are all missing is...Your time is written when you are concieved. We all have a date and time that we are suppose to leave this world to go to a better place and I know that, that is where Ryan is at. He is in a better place. My heart also goes out to the young 15 year old who was driving.I know he must be feeling just awful and his family is going through a lot as well. Let's all try and remember all these individuals and their families in our prayers. To all of you young people who are just starting to drive, PLEASE take your time and be careful and considerate.

[Sad relative]

As I read all the comments listed on the various websites I'm stuck by the information or lack thereof of accurate information being written about this tragic accident. I truly believe we will never know the entire truth of "what really" happened. I do believe that it is best to wait until we have all the facts from a through police investigation. There could also be people who came upon the accident and still haven't come forward yet. We live in a society where many people just don't want to get involved.
What I can tell you as an actual fact is that my family is grieving over the loss of my cousin, Gilbert. Gilbert was a devoted family man and loving son. He gave nineteen years of service to protect the citizens of LA County and was well respected by his peers. I remember a person who was kind and would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. Gilbert leaves behind many family members who will miss him greatly. To Ryan's family we understand that you are grieving too. No parent should have to bury a child. My aunt is living that awlful truth too. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
I feel that one of the most vital lessons that can be learned from this tragedy is to accept that life is precious. Our time has already been decided. It 's what you make of it while you are here. Hug your loved ones. Tell them you love them. Don't let anger and hate destroy you. Love your kids completely. Bottom line is the truth will come out on what happened, but nobody should be making judgements until we find out the facts first. Only then can the appropriate action be taken. For now please understand that many lives were changed on that awlful night. Now is a time for rememberance. I will miss you Gilbert. To the boys and my aunt know that all of the family stands behind you and will be here to support you through this tragic time.....

[Obama]

The fifteen year old should of turned on the emergency lights if possible and should of moved as far away possible from the vehicle knowing it was in the lane of moving traffic and the possibility of being struck. As for the off duty cop, I know that freeway is dark but how do you not see a mini van ahead of you? He may have been either speeding or falling asleep at the wheel. He should of been wearing his seat belt. Just my opinion, my thoughts and prayers go out to both families and friends of the diseased. May your souls rest in peace!

[Partners Forever]

This officer is now 10-7, RIP Lt.

[Gertrude Trageser]

What happened to "Click it or Ticket"?

[Audrey R]

I graduated with Ryan, he was a cool kid. My prayers go out to his family and dearest friends for their loss.
Your sadness must be overwhelming.
Also i did hear from a friend of one of the fellow passengers that Ryan pushed his friend out of the way of the oncoming vehicle just in time to save her, but killed him.
God bless him for not only thinking of himself. His memory will never be forgotten.

[Just me]

He went to my cousins church, be thankful because he excepted Jesus Christ in his life a few weeks before. God bless him, he is in a better place!!
AMEN

[Ryan RIP]

saddened wrote:

The teenager involved was an 18 year old, not 15 so he did have the right to be driving. I don't know where anyone got 15 from. I happen to have had a conversation with his grandmother about this, and she is devastated. Please try to be compassionate for this situation. He was a young man, just graduated from high school, this is truely a tragedy.

The driver of the car was 15, Ryan the 18 y.r was a passenger. So yes there was a 15 y.o, although I do fill he should've been home in bed he wasn't and the accident was not his fault. This was just a tragic accident. Two families are now mourning the deaths of loved ones.

[Aunti D]

SGV resident wrote:

<quoted text>
Well let the rest of us in on it. What happened that was not in the paper?
If what you say about him pushing the girl out of the way is true he is a hero. I don't think anyone was badmouthing Ryan. But this 15 yr. olds life is ruined because of a stupid stunt or action.

My niece is Ryans girlfriend. She is devastated that her love is gone. This is a tragedy but like the girl wrote "Ryan saved his friends life" yes that is true. Ryan is a hero he saved her life by pushing her out of the way. No the media never wrote that.
Ryans family and my niece are going through a lot. It is best that people do not always believe what is written in the papers. It's all half truths and there is so much more that you don't know. I think instead of laying judgement on anyone we should just remember that there are two people that have lost their lives, Ryan was just going to begin his. He will be missed. Please I ask that people not leave negative comments, the families of both victims don't need to read that this person or that person was to blame.
Rest in Peace Ryan........

[The truth]

whatado wrote:

So sad and senseless. Why was a 15 year old driving anyways?

The 18 year old was drunk.

[whatado]

Really? According to post #31, Ryan had just accepted Jesus Christ into his life. I guess he was out celebrating the Lord with some 'Jesus juice'. Unbelievable!

The truth wrote:

<quoted text>
The 18 year old was drunk.

[some one who knows]

How can you say something like that. you have no idea . Ryan had been gone from his house for 2 hours. He was on his way back home.YOU have to really be an evil person to make a statement like that. the tox screen isnt back yet so how can you even make that statement

The truth wrote:

<quoted text>
The 18 year old was drunk.

[I know the FACTS]

whatado wrote:

Really? According to post #31, Ryan had just accepted Jesus Christ into his life. I guess he was out celebrating the Lord with some 'Jesus juice'. Unbelievable!
<quoted text>

Do you believe everything you read? If so, you are JUST AS STUPID AS THE OTHER GUY!!!

[whatado]

If I believed everything I read, that would mean that I believe you 'know the facts'. There has to be some twisted logic as to why an unlicensed 15 year old was driving, when there was a licensed person in the car (I'm guessing Ryan was licensed). Care to share the 'facts'?

I know the FACTS wrote:

<quoted text>Do you believe everything you read? If so, you are JUST AS STUPID AS THE OTHER GUY!!!

[I know the FACTS]

whatado wrote:

If I believed everything I read, that would mean that I believe you 'know the facts'. There has to be some twisted logic as to why an unlicensed 15 year old was driving, when there was a licensed person in the car (I'm guessing Ryan was licensed). Care to share the 'facts'?
<quoted text>

No one was licensed. There is the facts. The "twisted logic" is that they should not had been driving but the vehicle had a mechanical problem causing the first accident. That could have been anyone regardless of their age. When the police report is complete you will see the cause of the accident was the SUV hitting the van, NOT the kids in the van. Regardless, this is a tragedy for BOTH families and I hope no one has to go through something like this themselves.