At approximately 9:00 a.m. on June 10, 2007, Officer Robert F. Dickey (37) of the CHP Winterhaven office was on duty eastbound in the right lane of Interstate 8 at CA mile marker 84.40 when, CHP investigators believe, a tire blew out on the left side of his car. Witnesses reported seeing Dickey’s patrol car roll and go through a roadside fence.

Officer Dickey suffered severe injuries in the crash but was alive and conscious at the scene. He was taken to Yuma Regional Medical Center where he died.

Dickey had been a CHP officer for five years, four of which he served in Winterhaven. He is survived by his wife and one year old son.