VENTURA, CALIFORNIA – A Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputy was killed Tuesday after being struck by a vehicle during a traffic stop.
Deputy Eugene Kostiuchenko initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle on northbound Highway 101 at Lewis Rd. at about 1:14 a.m. according to Sheriff’s Capt. Don Aguilar.
After Kostiuchenko exited his vehicle to make contact with the driver, two deputies arrived to assist with the traffic stop, Aguilar stated.
Later in the contact, Aguilar stated that Kostiuchenko walked back to his vehicle after the traffic stop and his vehicle was hit by another vehicle. The vehicle narrowly missed colliding with the assisting deputies. The driver of that vehicle continued traveling northbound at a high rate of speed.
Deputies found the vehicle, which was involved in a solo collision off the roadway near Las Posas Road. Deputy Kostiuchenko was pronounced deceased at the scene of the traffic stop, according to Aguilar.
Deputy Kostiuchenko, age 41, was an 11-year veteran of the department. He was assigned to patrol in the City of Camarillo.
He is survived by his wife and two sons. Eugene also worked at the Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services and in Detention Services during his career.
The men and women of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office mourn the loss Deputy Kostiuchenko and are keeping his family in their thoughts during this difficult time, Aguilar stated.