LOS ANGELES—Police officers mourned two colleagues killed in unrelated traffic accidents about 10 miles apart on the same highway, officials said.

The victims, Detective George Selleh, 52, and Officer David Rodriguez, 33, were both off-duty when the accidents occurred, officials said.

"Both men were extraordinarily talented and dedicated members of the organization," police Chief William Bratton said in a statement. "We will never forget their contributions to the department and the communities they served."

The first accident occurred around 3:30 a.m. on the 101 freeway in Hollywood when Selleh's motorcycle collided with a car that had crashed into a center divider moments earlier and was blocking two lanes, police Lt. Ruben De La Torre said.

Selleh, who was on his way to a movie set where he was providing security, was pronounced dead at the scene, California Highway Patrol Spokesman Alex Delgadillo said.

Eleven more vehicles were involved in accidents as drivers either hit the disabled car or swerved to avoid it, officials said. The entire southbound side of the freeway remained closed for more than 12 hours as CHP officers investigated the crash and pileup.

Investigators collected each part of the motorcycle and took measurements of the crash site to reconstruct the accident and determine if anyone was at fault, Delgadillo said.

Such a reconstruction would be necessary if criminal charges were filed, he said.

A 29-year veteran of the LAPD, Selleh, of Simi Valley, is survived by his wife, a 20-year-old son and an 18-year-old daughter.

The body of the other officer, Rodriguez, was found around 10:30 a.m. some 10 miles northwest of the accident involving Selleh. CHP officers investigating a report of a single-vehicle accident discovered an overturned vehicle down a freeway embankment, according to a CHP statement.Rodriguez, whose body was found inside, had lost control of his car, which struck the guardrail in the center divider and tumbled over the embankment, according to the CHP. The cause of the accident was under investigation.

Rodriguez, who joined the LAPD in 2003, is survived by his mother and a brother.

Police Officer Mike Lopez said there was no connection between the two accidents involving officers.

"Coincidental? Yes," he said, "But are they related or connected? No."