Officer Justin Kepler

[Anthony]

Officer Justin Kepler was killed Saturday night in a hit-and-run crash in Escalon, California, Stockton Police Department said.

Officer Kepler, who was off duty at the time, was riding his personal motorcycle when he was hit by a car, authorities said.

The driver of the vehicle, was identified as twenty-seven year old Isidro Urista-Meza. Police say Urista-Meza turned into the path of the officer, who could not avoid the oncoming car and crashed into the front end of the vehicle.

The driver of the vehicle ran from the scene but police arrested him a short time later. He was booked on charges of driving unlicensed, felony hit-and-run and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter, police said.

Officer Kepler was with the department since April 16, 2012.