Pedeferri has begun rehabilitation
CHP officer was critically injured in December

Tony Pedeferri

California Highway Patrol Officer Tony Pedeferri is undergoing rehabilitation at a Colorado hospital for injuries he suffered in a December vehicle crash, a CHP spokesperson said last week.

Pedeferri, an 11-year veteran of the force and a Camarillo father of two, was severely injured on Dec. 19, when a suspected drunk driver crashed into the car Pedeferri had stopped on the 101 Freeway.

According to court documents, the accident may have left Pedeferri paralyzed.

Pedeferri's family was not available for comment.

Police said the fiery crash killed 20-year-old Andreas Parra of Arizona and shut down the freeway for 12 hours. Jeremy White of Paso Robles, the suspected drunk driver, and his passenger suffered minor injuries.

White pleaded not guilty to seven felony counts, including vehicular manslaughter, last month and remains in Ventura County jail in lieu of $500,000 bail. He is scheduled to return to court on March 3.

- Michelle Knight