Nearly three years after an on-duty collision in Downey left another driver badly hurt, a former city police officer is now facing a felony. Prosecutors have charged 30-year-old ex-officer Mario Valles with one count of reckless driving causing injury, with an arraignment set for March 17, 2026.
Prosecutors' Allegations
According to prosecutors, Valles was racing to a report of a fight when he allegedly blew through a red light at more than 80 mph without turning on his patrol car's lights or siren. As he entered the intersection, he is accused of slamming into a vehicle driven by 28-year-old Nathan Hernandez, who prosecutors say suffered severe injuries and has undergone multiple surgeries.
"Police officers are not exempt from the same laws that all motorists must obey when driving on our highways and streets," L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said, according to CBS Los Angeles.
Crash Scene And Initial Reports
The crash happened in the early morning hours of March 13, 2023, at Lakewood Boulevard and Columbia Way. Early coverage described a violent scene, with video and police statements showing a patrol SUV and a white sedan both suffering heavy front-end damage and emergency crews working to free an injured man from the sedan. Both the on-duty officer and the civilian driver were taken to a hospital, according to The Downey Patriot.
The Charge And What It Carries
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has filed a single felony count of reckless driving causing injury against Valles. Prosecutors say the case is meant to highlight how dangerous it can be when officers respond at high speed without activating their emergency equipment.
If convicted, Valles could face up to three years in state prison, according to CBS Los Angeles. City records show Valles joined the Downey Police Department in 2019 and was working patrol duty before leaving the force, according to the City of Downey.
Local Context And Past Cases
This is not the first time in recent years that Los Angeles County prosecutors have gone after law enforcement officers over serious crashes. In one high-profile case, a former LAPD officer pleaded guilty to murder in a 2025 DUI collision that killed three people, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. The Associated Press has also chronicled several other prosecutions of officers and deputies after major wrecks in recent years.
Those cases have ended in a range of outcomes, depending on factors such as speed, impairment and how strong the evidence looked once it was in front of a judge or jury.
What's Next
Valles is scheduled to appear in the Downey branch of Los Angeles County Superior Court on March 17, 2026, for arraignment. From there, the case is expected to move through the usual criminal process, with future hearings and filings spelling out the evidence prosecutors say backs up the felony charge.
For now, the District Attorney's Office is framing the prosecution as a test of how far accountability for dangerous driving should extend when the person behind the wheel is wearing a badge.
