No Seat Belts Worn In Fatal Crash

The Santa Paula Police Department is mourning the death of Police Officer Kimberly Hemminger. Officer Hemminger was killed when the Jeep she was riding in spun and rolled over on South Mountain Lookout Road.It happened around 9:15 p.m. Sunday night. The 44 year old driver of the car, Christopher Blankenship suffered minor injuries.The California Highway Patrol arrested Blankenship on suspicion of DUI and vehicular manslaughter.They say he lost control of the car when approaching a curve on the winding road.Hemminger,a five year veteran on the force, was partially ejected and pinned under the car.She was pronounced dead at the scene. The other passengers in the car, Tonia Allen 38, of Camarillo and Cynthia Juarez, 19, of Santa Paula, suffered minor injuries.CHP Officers say it appears no one was wearing their seatbelt in the Jeep.Officer Hemminger was also a member of the Department’s mounted unit and received several commendations.Memorial Information was not available.