California Officer Killed in Motorcycle Crash on Way to Work

An off-duty California Highway Patrol officer was killed when his motorcycle collided with a pickup truck in San Martin on Tuesday, according to authorities. He was reportedly on his way to work at the time of the crash.

Officer James Branik of the California Highway Patrol was killed in a crash Tuesday while driving to work on his motorcycle. (Photo: NBC Bay Area screen shot)Officer James Branik of the California Highway Patrol was killed in a crash Tuesday while driving to work on his motorcycle. (Photo: NBC Bay Area screen shot)

An off-duty California Highway Patrol officer was killed when his motorcycle collided with a pickup truck in San Martin on Tuesday, according to authorities. He was reportedly on his way to work at the time of the crash.

A 47-year-old man driving in a Chevrolet pickup truck was traveling northbound around 5:51 a.m. when he turned into the path of 44-year-old James Branik, who was riding in the opposite direction, according to the CHP. 

Branik, who is from San Jose and was currently working at the commercial scales in Gilroy, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the CHP. Branik previously spent time working at the San Jose CHP office, NBC Bay Area reports.

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