In the early hours of Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010, San Diego County Sheriff’s Deputy Kenneth Collier passed away due to injuries sustained during a pursuit of a wrong-way drunk driver on State Route 52.

Sheriff William Gore says the crash occurred early Sunday when Deputy Collier, who had dispatcher Ryan Debellis riding along with him, made a u-turn on Route 52 near Santee to pursue a suspected drunk driver. His marked SUV collided with a bridge abutment and went over the side, injuring Collier and Debellis. Both were airlifted to the hospital where Deputy Ken Collier later succumbed to his injuries. Ryan Deballis remains hospitalized, but is expected to make a full recovery.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Ken Collier, his fiance, and his partners at the Santee Sheriff’s Station. If you would like to express your condolences, please visit the Ken Collier Memorial page on Facebook. Memorial ceremonies will take place st the Shadow Mountain Church in EL Cajon on Sat. March 6 at 10 a.m. Law Enforcement staging information will be available on the Sheriff’s Department website.