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Medical Examiner Rules Fentanyl Caused CHP Officer Miguel Cano’s On-Duty Death

Officials have certified the case as an accident, leaving unresolved when or how the drug entered his system.

Overview

  • The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner on Feb. 23, 2026 certified fentanyl effects as the cause of death and ruled the manner an accident.
  • The office said it cannot determine the time or route of Cano’s fentanyl exposure.
  • Cano crashed into a tree in Culver City on July 2, 2025 while transporting a DUI suspect to the West L.A. CHP office and was pronounced dead at UCLA shortly after.
  • During the incident, Cano administered Narcan to the suspect, and first responders later gave Narcan to Cano at the crash scene.
  • The determination contrasts with CHP’s July statement that investigators did not believe drug exposure occurred, and the full autopsy report has not yet been released.