Los Angeles Deputy Sheriff Fatally Injured By a Teen Driver

Los Angeles: A Los Angeles Sheriff deputy was killed by a drunken teenager early Monday morning.

On May 4, 2007, at around 8:55 a.m., Deputy Raul Gama, 43, was working a plain cloth surveillance assignment of a person suspected of receiving stolen Verizon cell phones.

Deputy Gama was sitting in a parked 2004 gold Chevy Venture in the 12400 block of Oxnard Street in North Hollywood when his car was hit by a 2006 Honda Element driven by 18-year-old Luis Yanez. Deputy Gama sustained serious injuries and died at a local hospital.

Yanez was arrested for suspicion of drunk driving and booked for felony manslaughter. Bail was set at $50,000.

Deputy Gama, a 20-year veteran of the Sheriff department, was married and had 4 children. He was awarded the Medal of Valor four years ago for saving a family of six after a runaway train had crashed into their home trapping them in the debris.

Los Angeles Police Department mourns the loss of a fellow officer killed in the line of duty.

Anyone with information is asked to call Valley Traffic Detective Huerta 818-374-1934. On weekends and during off-hours, phone the 24-hour toll free Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).