Atascadero man dies while fleeing police

July 18, 2013

chpAn Atascadero man who worked as a prison guard died last week while fleeing from police in San Benito County. [Tribune]

On July 12 at 12:34 a.m., California Highway Patrol officers attempted to pull David John Calmere, 41, over for speeding on the 101 north of Salinas. Calmere, a guard at the Correctional Training Facility in Soledad, then led officers on a high-speed chase.

The six-mile chase ended when Calmere lost control of his Toyota Tundra and struck guard rail on Highway 101. He was ejected from his vehicle and died at the scene.

 


Loading...
11 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

My condolences and best wishes to his family and friends.


I’ve run into a lot of correctional officers who have serious issues with respect for the law and authority. It’s certainly not a majority but a sizable minority don’t think the rules apply to them. We had deputies roll out to a youth sports tournament when coaches from the other team started chasing down officials after a “bad call.” We later learned from deputies that the coaches were all COs. I’ve had other negative experiences with COs that don’t seem to be typical of those in law enforcement as opposed to corrections.


If it was just for speeding, he could have flashed his badge after being pulled over and sent on his way. Deeper issues here and we may never be told what they were.


depression and alcohol


How strange, I wonder what he had in the car? All I can think of is that it must have been very stinky and he knew that it would have prompted a search. But who knows, what ever it was that made him run, he must have believed it was worth the risk, I wonder what it was? Regardless, rest in peace. ..


It was depression and alcohol.


How rude you people are. This man was a good man with a great deal of depression. He had not been able to find a way to deal with it as much as he tried. Don’t judge what/who you do not know. Don’t make his children’s and the rest of his family’s pain and harder then it is already.


I get the feeling there may be more to come on this story. A lot of time people run from police for other reasons, other than they just don’t want a speeding ticket. Guy is a Guard, why would you risk reputation if just a minor ticket?


“I get the feeling there may be more to come on this story.”


Or not.

Ever hear any follow-up on that shooting death of a FDC CO by another FDC CO after a night of partying at a Lompoc Motel a few months ago?


Well never heard the story to start with. Didn’t get mush play up here in Paso area.


Perhaps he didn’t want to lose his pension.