Plowed into the chp suv. The crash happened at 11 30 last night on southbound interstate 880 in hayward. The officer leaves behind a wife and three small children. The first person on the scene talked only with nbc bay area about the tragedy. She says she will never forget. Nbc bay area thom jensen is live outside the chp office in hayward with the interview. Good evening, thom. Reporter good evening, vicki. Yes, this woman says she and her husband were driving southbound on 880 north of the san mateo bridge exit when the red cadillac sports car zoomed by on left well over 100mileperhour. She says what happened next was unlike she has anything she has ever seen. I just remember seeing brake lights. And like smoke. And i guess thats when he rear ended the back of theup chp vehicle. Then i just saw the cadillac roll. It was like a movie. And then my husband is yelling. He hit a chp. Reporter the chp suv was compressed a acord yan especially on the passenger side. The witnesses pulled over as the debris flew past the truck. I kept pulling, pulling on the door. Finally the door opened. And i just remember him saying, there is a second officer8rr any heart sank. I lifted up the air bag and the other officer was in the passenger seat. My feeling is he didnt know what hit him. The car was so damaged, there was no way to get him out. Reporter she says the red cal lack rolled over and over slamming into the retaining wall. The front of the carsway in flames. Nobody in their right mind and sober would have been driving like this. Nobody. Reporter and observation confirmed by the chp today. This person a 22yearold from hayward chose to drive while under the influence of alcohol and also drugs. And this needs to stop. The suspect is in the hospital and the chp is not releasing his name. The witness says she and her husband dont feel like celebrating christmas this year when they consider what the officers wife and children must be going through. I just want the family to know that i feel like he didnt suffer. Reporter the driver of that chp suv was able to get out of the vehicle as you heard and was taken to a hospital. He is home with his family tonight. Meanwhile, its just not officer kamalari. The chp family is also touched. A motorcycle officer out here this afternoon told me there will abbell ringing service for the officer on wednesday and as he was telling me, tears from streaming down his face. Live in hayward. Such a tragedy appear and preventible. Thank you. The most recent numbers for chp show more than 1,000 people die each year because of alcoholrelated car crashes. Insofar 12,000 people are hurt in crashes caused by drunk drivers. Our coverage of the investigation extends beyond our newscasts. You can read more about it online and on the free app. Where we sent you up to date alerts on breaking news. Just into the newsroom a another driver arrested for dui crash and San Bruno Police are using him as an example. This is near the Public Library along with the photos of the busted hydrant. Please dont drink and drive. You dont want to spend the holidays in jail. Of an taechlted machete attack on deputies. One of the deputies opened fire on a suspect responding to a Domestic Violence incident. Happened tworek in the morning a few blocks from the b. A. R. T. Station. Deputies were detaining the man when he grabbed the machete and tried to attack. The suspect was sht once and expected to survive. Four people are looking for a place to stay this christmas after an overnight fire burned their homes. The fire broke out in a neighborhood at 1 30 near prospect and the virginia avenues. Our crew spoke with the fire department. The fire started in front of one home and spread to two others. Here is what neighbors are saying. We heard a bang. And there was an explosion. I saw an explosion, you know, flames and smoke, and so it was very sudden. Thats what i saw. I kind of just heard her freaking out. And then i didnt know what was going on. And then she said look outside. And, yeah, it was up in flames. No one was hurt. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Another spare the air day, cry conditions on what is normally one of the rainiest times of the year. Our meteorologist is tracking the forecast on this Christmas Day. Hey, rob. We are seeing a lot of cloud right now for Christmas Day at skrmgs in the park. 56 in san jose. Clear skies earlier. But the clouds kind of thickening up earlier in the day. And right now 56 in San Francisco. And we still have the air quality issues. No storms but High Pressure keeping it dry and preventing some of the smoke from getting pushed out of the bay area. It will be the north bay and Santa Clara Valley seeing unhealthy sensitive groups. We do have a lot of clouds. Some radar echos off shore. Will this be the next best chance of rain through the end of the year in coming up in just under 15 minutes a closer look and the new years eve forecast coming up after 5 15. Thank you. A great way to monitor the conditions as you spend christmas with your family, download the nbc bay area app. Its free and you can check the forecast for the neighborhood. Trying to celebrate the holidays in the midst of unthinkable tragedy. The spirits of many families living in sonoma have been darkened by the fires. But on in Christmas A Ray of light. Sam brock joins from us coffey park in santa rosa. One of the hardest hit areas. In recent days the neighbor has transformed. Terrie good evening. Yes that transformation will be more pronounced in an hour. The lights copping on. As you can see the lots absolutely leveled and in front of that something new that sprung up. Christmas trees and lights really just started with one mans bayic gesture and led to a christmas that few could have seen coming. Considering what coffey park residents are endured in recent months. Christmas cheer could have been drowned out. I think its been 17 days ago started. But not on the watch of this man who did something simple and extraordinary two weeks ago. He decorated a light pole. I started by getting lights from walmart with batteries and i hung 30 lights one night in the middle of the night so nobody would know who did it. It it instilled faith in residents who followed suit with more more than just coils of lights. It wasnt just me it was the entire community and people from out of state gave donations such as like Christmas Tree ornaments, things to help the families. Reporter pretty soon hopper avenue had become a beacon with many families like kathy scott and her daughter taking notice. A at night when we first came back it was so dark and. Desright. But at night its all lit up with lights in the evening. And there is lights. There is a lot of crying with the family. And that was about it. For bern, 2017 was a Christmas Eve to forget until the blossoming of the tree decorations which he says brought him something unexpected. Hope. I wasnt planning on having one thissier, just too emotional. But thanks to ronnie we got our tree. Perfect tree, too. Thanks, man. Thank you. Of course. Reporter and ronnie has been helping a lot of people, not just ben. He told us he has been sleeping in his truck overnight. Staying out here until 2 00 or 3 00 in the morning working on the lights and trees. As you see in table over the shoulder those are presents under the canopy. Its a community present table where people can come and pick up presents and give to kids as they need. A group effort here in santa rosa. Reporting live from coffey park. Nbc bay area news. What a wonderful story on christmas thank you so much. Still to come. A christmas greeting from the commander in chief. What President Trump had to say on the the holiday. And spirit of giving. How a Football Team and coach are taking it upon themselves to help the hungry. Downtown san jose. The sun has gone down, and christmas in the park is in full b mawell right now lets give you a look outside downtown san jose there. The sun has gone down. And christmas in the park in from swing. Pru see the ferris wheel going. Rob mayeda forecast a few minutes away. Well the christmas message from the commander in chief, President Trump and the first lady issue ago greeting on twitter. Our fellow americans melania and i are delighted to wish the aa and the entire world a acks Merry Christmas. They also spoke to kids about thetas journey. Some of the kids who called norad tracking santas progress through the air space were routed to the first family. The president and first lady chatwood the kids from the maralago estate in palm beach. Ag christians celebrating christmas around the world including troops stationed in descrious places around the globe. In afghanistan u. S. Troops stationed at the air base had this dinner. Photos describe how they felt about being away from home. I really miss my family. He lrmally would be home with them back in texas celebrating Christmas Morning here shortly. But it is its an honor to serve. That our being here helped not just the United States and the Coalition Partners but i think we made a lot of progress with our afghan partners. We think theyve turned the corner. Were seeing some Real Progress from them in terms of them taking over their own mission and doing well and being effective. Its actually really good. Time a corn bread dressing fan. And this is corn bread dressing. Quite good. And pie. Emororn bread and pie and spirits are high. Its the largest u. S. Military brace in afgtants. Fraits an institution in the bay area. Yearmorial church and the annual christmas dinner. Today once again volunteers fed thousands in San Francisco. A Little Something different. They this helpers, a college Football Team. Roz joins us with the story. Roz. Reporter you know, were talking about the arizona wild cats. They could have been been here at 10 30ists making taking in sights and sounds in union square. Instead they helped feed the homeless. If the Sandwich Assembly line looks like a well oiled operation its because theyre used to team work. They played football for the university of arizona. And all 120 wild cats are in town for the forest farms bowl. Its an honor to come out for the bowl game and serve our community as well. Its a bowl tradition. One of the teams volunteers at glide memorial players help serve a special christmas meal, turkey, ham and all the trimmings to thousands in need. Its a wonderful kitchen, serving home people every year, every day. Its a blessing. Reporter but the teams coach says those blessings go both ways. There are lessons his players can learn. A lot of people arent as fortunate as everybody else. So i mean i guess its just an eye opener for this moment to be here with them fedding them serving them helping them out its special. Theyre not over here because were telling them to be. Eeeyre here to help out. In San Francisco, roz plater nbc bay area news. An ts more than a meal for many people many. Volunteers at the salvation say kitchened prepared and handed out 4,500 meals today. Going to the elderly and people who cant leave homes. Volunteers say its not just about giving out yams and hams and vegetables and all the great stuff but about being with others and this Christmas Day. Maybe the only human contact the people have seen today. They get a warm greating, Merry Christmas, a nutritious meal. And they also know that theyre not left alone in this world. More than 400 volunteers worked for several weeks to sort and cook the 4,500 meals served today. Congratulations. Great work. Lets turn our attention to the weather for the volunteers out in the parks or delivering the meals. No rain, beautiful weather. Pretty pleasen, a little cal with the clouds spilling in. Higher in the upper 50s and low 60s. But typically this is the rainiest time of year approaching new years. Now not much to show. Right now 56 degrees. Pretty view looking at San Francisco. B thoutside. Mostly cloudy. Take you over to sand rafael, 54. The same clouds likely keeping temperatures in the upper 30s to mid40s heading to tomorrow morning. Right now at dublin 55 degrees with overskaft skies. 56 degrees currently in san jose. Now on the satellite radar view weyay do have some returns off shore. But this is where the radar beam is scanning higher up in the clouds. So not really rainfall coming down there. One of the future cast models does account o accountfare the chance of a few sprinkles out there for the evening and first half of the night. But notice the numbers not changing on any potential rain gauges outside through 9 00 a. M. Tomorrow. Other than Boulder Creek might get measurable drizzle. Not much expected heading into tuesday. Morning temperatures in the mid30s around santakn r rosa. 40s closer to san jose and bayside communities. And highs climbing into low 60s around san jose. Maybe mid60s south of downtown tp trivalley temperatures starting off upper 30s. Low 60s for the afternoon. Concord about 63. 62 hayward, oakland, 61. Peninsula temperatures a combination of upper 50s to low 60s around he will belmont. Into downtown San Francisco. Highs close to upper 50s and north bay temperatures in the low 60s. We see 50s and 60s here. If you have family and friends visiting on this Christmas Day check out the temperatures tomorrow. Minneapolis, 2 degrees. 13 in chicago. 20s around new york city and boston. But notice this bubble of orange and warmth in the southwest. That also includes weather thats High Pressure dreepg it dry in the future cast. Hourpy tour home mostly cloudy to partly cloudy. And unfortunately the long range pattern looks like over the next two weeks no chances of rain. That takes up to the new years day. Youll notice the rainfall whats missing here from San Francisco northward for the month is about three to five inches of rain. We totally missed out. Moving the future cast forward on the upper right hand portion of the screen, notice the time stamp all the way out to january 3rd, not much to show. Maybe a slight chance of weaker system on january 3rd or 4th. Where the sevenday forecast is concerned no real change here. We see temperatures in the 60s around the inland valleys. And upper 50s closer to San Francisco. Which does mean we may see more spare the air days. Another one tomorrow. We could see more as long as High Pressure keeps it dry, really prevents any mixing of the atmosphere, any winds from pushing the smoke out. The most i saw on anything you showed wagons. 01 of an inch. When we see should see two ceches over the next seven to orn days but not in the card. Thanks much. Coming up a royal nij engage. Prince harry as fiance celebrating with the family for the first time. A look at how they spent the holiday. And Merry Christmas how did you do in retailers released the list of the most popular kbifts. Fun to see if you see something on this list you received. Well run through them. Homepage no curry for christmas but the warriors were still able to unwrap v happening now on our home page, no curry for christmas. The warriors were still able to unwrap a victory at oracle in a rematch of the past three nba finals the dubs beast large and clevelands cavaliers 9, 92. A suspect entered the story in paskta and left with an undisclosed amount. Celebrating christmas today. The city is the home of manger square and the church of the people in bethlehem celebrating the Christmas Day. The city is the home of manger square and church of the nativity. Christians believe its where christ was worn. Tourists from all over the world pack the skaur to observe the day. Members of the British Royal family went to a Christmas Church service this morning. A crowd welcomed the Queen Elizabeth iv. Along with newcomer meghan markle. The queen was joined by husbands Prince Phillip and grandson. And and kate expected to give birth for the third child in the spring. Time to be honest. We always are. We are. Millions opinion upon millions of Christmas Gifts being opened today but are they really gifts or just another addition to the long will you tell list of stuff you never asked for, never wanted and never need sflood unfortunately it does happen. They say its the thought that counts. What do you do besides tuck it into the drawer . Our story are with o about christmas clutter from nbc reporter. As joyful and opening christmas presents can be there is the reality some of it is going to end up like the other stuff. Cluttering your already cluttered household. I stress out. I mean, you look around the house and you see all this stuff. What am i going to do it with it. Im not handling it well. Right now im just adding to the clutter. Reporter adding to the clutter, especially around real concern. We are drowning in stuff. Its getting to be more than a problem. Reporter thats where people like tracy mccubben can come in. Founder and ceo of declutter fly. And says the holidays are a perfect time to take stock and get rid of household clutter. Beginning with old christmas decorations. Theres been a couple of christmass that this stuff hasnt been put out to decorate. If those string of lights dont work but think that youre going to fix them and you havent, youre not going to. Let it go. She says for the stuff that is still useful, Keep Charities in mind. Its so much east forethem to give that stuff away knowing its going to a great home. Reporter however you do it, make this the year you declutter the home to declutter your life. Chris clackum nbc news. We are looking at the top gifts this year. Clothing. Clothing the most popular gift this year. This is according to the National Retail frags o federation. Gift cards a close second. Books with covers and pages coming in a distant third. The most wanted holiday gift a whopping 41 wanted gift cards that was number two. According to a walg et hub survey. Clothes and electronics are the runnerup. Everybody getting what they want. If you didnt get one you like consumer arent afraid to exchange. 54 of holidays gifts returned for cash or credit. Last year according to data from gift now. All i wanted was a bull horn and i got it. Your husband will regret that. And he already is. He already is. Just ahead, falling in love. Proposal at Rockefeller Center going viral tonight. Well show you when we come back. Rockefeller center. This couple had the whole ice rink to themselves on well a surprise Marriage Proposal took center rink at Rockefeller Center. This couple had the ice rink to themselves. Everyone waited on the sidelines. The man gets on one knee, pops the question. She says yes. They lean in to kiss. Whoa. Someone is going togs she fell for him but not me. Good one. Hundreds of people watching. Applauded and she was cool. Laughed it off. Threw up her arms in victory. She is a great support. She is. He almost had a tumble there too. These are people not from the cold weather state apparently beautiful ceremony we got a dry forecast the rest of the night. Tomorrow spare the air alert again for smoke pollution, temperature wz era wz upper 50s and low 60s. Dry into the new year. Thanks very much. Thanks for joining us. Back at 6 00. Merry christmas. Have a great night. Nvestigat dylan parkpettiford its something that ill never forget, that ill never stop thinking about. Announcer his brother was murdered during a south bay crime spree by a man using a gun stolen from southern california. We teamed up with other nbc stations to trace thousands of stolen guns, and for the first time publicly, uncover the firearm pipeline operating throughout the us. Plus Cheryl Hodgin Marshall we were in disbelief and in tears at the outcome. Announcer former students say they reported Sexual Misconduct by teachers 20 years ago, and nothing happened. We investigate allegations made against a prominent san jose private school. Then the label says one thing, but the potency of the pot could be Something Else entirely. We put pot labs on the hot seat by testing the thc in marijuana