A California Highway Patrol motorcycle officer died on Sept. 28 after a collision with a truck-tractor on northbound State Route 99 just south of Avenue 152 in Tipton, Tulare County. According to reports, the officer was thrown from the motorcycle and was then struck by a passing vehicle. He died at the scene despite life-saving efforts, and the freeway was reportedly fully closed for a time.
FreightWaves reported that the officer, identified by CHP as Brian Liles, 44, was a veteran of more than 16 years and that his death was the CHP’s first line-of-duty loss since 2020. The outlet noted that authorities have not released what caused the collision and have not publicly identified the truck driver or carrier. Highway 99 is a major Central Valley freight corridor, and the investigation is ongoing.
A California Highway Patrol motorcycle officer based in Visalia died in an on-duty crash on northbound Highway 99 near Tipton in Tulare County on the evening of Monday, September 28, 2026. According to reports, the officer’s motorcycle collided with a truck-tractor around 5:10 p.m. The impact allegedly ejected the officer, who was then struck by a passing vehicle. He died at the scene.
CBS News Sacramento reported that the 44-year-old officer was a veteran of more than 16 years with the CHP and that CHP’s Central Division accident investigation team is handling the investigation. The outlet also reported it was the agency’s first line-of-duty death since 2020. The cause of the crash has not been officially determined, and no fault has been established.
