Man denies killing San Bernardino police officer in drunk driving crash

A Fontana man accused of driving drunk and killing a San Bernardino police officer when he broadsided the officer’s car made his first court appearance Tuesday.

Archie Green III, 27, pleaded not guilty to one count of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, one count of driving under the influence and causing injury and one count of having a blood-alcohol content above the legal limit and causing injury.

He’s due back in court Dec. 2., officials said. Green was arrested early Thursday after he allegedly ran a red light in Ontario and broadsided Officer Bryce Hanes’ car just after 2 a.m.

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Hanes, 40, was headed for the freeway after dropping off a suspect at the County Jail when his squad car was hit at 4th Street and Etiwanda Avenue, said Ontario Police Det. Bill Russell.

Hanes was driving south on Etiwanda when the second vehicle, a 2008 Dodge Charger, heading east on 4th, ran a red light and smashed into Hanes’ vehicle, police said.

Hanes suffered “massive injuries” in the crash and was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

Gov. Jerry Brown issued a statement on Hanes’ death.

“We offer our heartfelt condolences to Officer Hanes’ family, friends and coworkers at the San Bernardino Police Department,” Brown said in the statement issued Thursday afternoon. “We join all Californians in mourning his loss and vow to always remember his selfless service and sacrifice on behalf of his community.”

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Hanes is the third San Bernardino police officer to die in a year. Two other officers died in off-duty incidents, said San Bernardino police Chief Jarrod Burguan.

Hanes was a husband with two daughters and a son, all under age 12. He lived in Redlands and had worked the graveyard patrol shift since joining the force in June 2003, Burguan said.

The chief worked with Hanes when Burguan was a night-shift sergeant.

“Bryce was one of those guys who came to work every day with a great attitude. He really loved his job,” Burguan said. “He was an exemplary officer.”

Ontario police will handle the crash investigation, Russell said.

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