A Gardena, California motorcycle officer was killed in a crash while riding to work Thursday morning.
Officer Toshio Hirai was traveling on his department-issued motorcycle in Los Angeles when the collision occurred near the intersection of 238th Street and Western Avenue, according to a news release.
"A number of outstanding doctors, nurses and other hospital staff members did all that they could to try to save Toshio," the department wrote in a statement. "While doctors did their best to try and save him, he died at the hospital late (Thursday) afternoon."
The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.
The 34-year-old officer began working at the Gardena Police Department in 2006. Aside from serving as a motorcycle officer, he was on the SWAT team and was a traffic investigator.
"Toshio, was one of the smartest people in the room. He spoke five languages, loved life, had the best sense of humor," the statement reads. "Toshio He worked hard for our community. Most of all he absolutely loved and cherished his wife and 2-year-old son.
"We lost a guardian today, and while we’ll never be able to replace Toshio, his memory will live on and his presence will always be felt."
If you wish to donate to the Hirai family, please follow the following link. https://999-gardenapoa.firstresponderprocessing.com/
Checks can also be made payable to the GPOA and mailed or brought to the Gardena Police Department at 1718 W 162nd Street, Gardena CA 90247.
Cards and flowers can be brought to the Police Department where a memorial site has been set up.
A candle light vigil will be held in honor of Officer Toshio Hirai in front of the station located at 1718 W. 162nd St. Gardena at 6:30 pm Friday.
