Man arrested in connection with Whittier killing
Police have arrested Ernesto Rosas, 24, of Montebello, for allegedly crushing two men with his SUV at a house party on Sunday, killing one and injuring another.
Rosas was detained walking on the streets in Montebello on Sunday afternoon. He was arrested on suspicion of murder, attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon, California Highway Patrol Officer Joe Zizi said.
Authorities believe Rosas was at a house party in the 7700 block of Vanport Avenue about 1 a.m. Sunday when he started to become “unruly,” according to Zizi.
Francisco Vasquez, 24, who lived in the Vanport home and his friend Sean Nunez, 26, of Los Angeles, asked Rosas to leave and escorted Rosas out to his car.
While Vasquez and Nunez were walking back to the house, Rosas allegedly backed his 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe into the men, Zizi said.
Nunez became pinned between the Tahoe and another car, and was crushed by the impact, Zizi said. He died on scene.
Vasquez was hit but managed to avoid being crushed, Zizi said. He was treated and released at the scene with minor injuries.
Zizi wouldn’t say if Rosas’ alleged acts were retaliation for getting kicked out of the pary. But he did say that witness reports lead police to believe that Rosas intentionally backed his Tahoe into the two men. Zizi did not know if Rosas was intoxicated or under the influence of drugs at the time of the incident. He was unsure whether toxicology reports were even ordered.
“But I can tell you that that is not a defense for this crime,” Zizi said.
A press conference is scheduled for noon today at the CHP's Santa Fe Springs office. Apparently, Nunez' family members will make statements and police will release Rosas' booking photo.