Attempted carjacking suspect fatally struck by car on 605 Freeway identified

Posted on May 26, 2017 by Brian Day

Coroner’s officials have identified a La Puente man who was fatally struck by a car on the 605 Freeway in Irwindale minutes after allegedly trying to carjack a driver in El Monte on Tuesday.
Louis Marcus Martinez, 27, died after he was struck by a car about 10:10 p.m. in the southbound lanes of the 605 Freeway, just north of Ramona Boulevard, Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner Chief of Operations Brian Elias said. An autopsy was yet to be completed.
The bizarre series of events began about 9:45 p.m. when El Monte police received a report of an attempted carjacking in the 4000 block of Gilman Road, according to El Monte police Lt. Pete Rasic.
A woman was entering her car when a man, later identified as Martinez, tried to force his way into her vehicle and grab her keys, police said.
The woman managed to push the would-be carjacker away, lock her car doors and drive away, Rasic said. The suspect left behind personal items including a photo ID.
Police received a second report of the same man grabbing onto a van and hanging onto to briefly it as it drove away in the area of Gilman Road and Ramona Boulevard in El Monte, officials said.
The man was not found, but turned up minutes later, walking in traffic lanes of the 605 Freeway along the border between Baldwin Park and Irwindale.
A car traveling about 70 mph in the No. 2 lane struck Martinez, who was pronounced dead at the scene, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Rodrigo Jimenez. He was soon linked to the prior attempted carjacking in El Monte.
It was unclear why Martinez ended up walking on the freeway.

Woman fatally struck by SUV alongside 605 Freeway in Norwalk

Posted on May 19, 2017 by Brian Day

NORWALK >> A 71-year-old pedestrian died after an SUV veered off the side of the 605 Freeway in Norwalk and struck her as she sat on a dirt median on Thursday afternoon, authorities said.
Pauline M. Widuschek died in the 4:22 p.m. crash along the southbound 605 Freeway at Firestone Boulevard, Officer J. Farner of the California Highway Patrol’s Santa Fe Springs area office said in a written statement.
A 62-year-old Lynwood man was traveling south in the right-hand lane, at an unknown speed, when his 1998 Toyota 4-Runner veered toward the right side of the roadway, the officer said.
The 4-Runner went over an asphalt berm along the right shoulder, then struck a tree before striking Widuschek, who was sitting on a dirt median separating 605 Freeway traffic lanes from the Firestone Boulevard offramp, according to Farner. The woman died at the scene.
The SUV continued until it plowed through a chain-link fence at the bottom of the Firestone Boulevard offramp, then collided with a 1999 GMC Yukon heading west on Firestone Boulevard, Farner said.
The driver of the 4-Runner was treated for injuries described as “moderate,” Farner said. A Lynwood woman who was at the wheel of the Yukon was unhurt.
No arrests had been made as the investigation continued.
Any witnesses, or anyone with information, can reach the CHP’s Santa Fe Springs-area office at 562-868-0503.

Maywood man killed in crash following tire blowout on 60 Freeway in Hacienda Heights

Posted on May 13, 2017 by Brian Day

HACIENDA HEIGHTS >> A Maywood man died in pickup truck crash early Saturday after one of the truck’s tired blew out on the 60 Freeway in Hacienda Heights, officials said.
Officials withheld the identity of the victim pending notification of family, Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner Lt. David Smith said. California Highway Patrol officials described him as a 49-year-old Maywood man.
The crash took place at 5:10 p.m. on the eastbound 60 Freeway, just west of Hacienda Boulevard, CHP Officer M. Iniguez said in a written statement.
The 1995 Ford Ranger was traveling in the carpool, No. 1 or No. 2 lanes when a tire blew out, according to the officer.
“As the Ford Ranger was approaching Hacienda Boulevard, the left rear tire tread separated from the tire,” Iniguez said. “The driver reacted in such a way as cause the Ford Ranger to overturn onto its roof on the right shoulder.”
The upside-down pickup truck slid on its roof across the shoulder and ended up striking a metal guardrail lining the Hacienda Boulevard onramp to the eastbound 60 Freeway.
The driver and lone occupant of the truck died from his injuries, Iniguez said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Officer Iniguez at the CHP’s Santa Fe Springs-area office at 562-868-0503.

CHP hosts teen driver safety class in Baldwin Park

Posted on May 7, 2017 by Brian Day

BALDWIN PARK >> Young drivers and their parents are once again invited to join in a free driving safety class hosted by the California Highway Patrol this Friday.
The Start Smart class will be held from 6:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the CHP’s Baldwin Park area office, 14039 Francisquito Ave., according to CHP Officer Rodrigo Jimenez.
“The primary objective of this program is to provide teens between the ages of 15 and 19 with an interactive safe driving awareness class to illustrate how poor choices behind the wheel can tragically impact many lives,” the officer said.
“Topics that will be covered include collision avoidance techniques, the importance of wearing a seat belt, keeping vehicle speeds down and not driving impaired and/or distracted.”
Video and photos will be shown to illustrate the tragic consequences of poor decision behind the wheel of a car. Parents or guardians must attend with students.
Space is limited, and those interested are urged to RSVP as soon as possible to reserve a spot by contacting Officer Jimenez at 626-338-1164, or via email at rjimenez@chp.ca.gov.

Man dies after jumping from moving minivan on 60 Freeway in Diamond Bar

Posted on April 16, 2017 by Brian Day

DIAMOND BAR >> A Diamond Bar man died after jumping out of the passenger side of a moving minivan on the 60 Freeway in Diamond Bar late Saturday, authorities said.
The identity of the man was not released Sunday pending notification of family, Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner Investigator Rudy Molano said. California Highway Patrol officials described him as 40 years old.
The incident took place just after 11 p.m. as the man was riding as a passenger in a 2016 Honda Odyssey on the 60 Freeway, just east of Brea Canyon Road, Officer C. Banuelos of the CHP’s Baldwin Park office said in a written statement.
As the Odyssey was traveling eastbound, for an unknown reason, (the man) opened the right front passenger door and jumped out of the vehicle into traffic lanes,” Banuelos said.
He suffered major blunt force trauma when struck the roadway, officials said. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.
Investigators were looking into the possibility the man had been drinking.
“Alcohol is suspected to be a factor in this incident,” according to Banuelos.
No information was available regarding the driver of the minivan.
The CHP issued a Sig Alert on the eastbound 60 Freeway for about two-and-a-half hours following the incident.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the CHP’s Baldwin Park office at 626-338-1164.

Sylmar man dies after being rear-ended on 2 Freeway in La Canada Flintridge

Posted on March 23, 2017 by Brian Day

LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE >> A 66-year-old Sylmar man died late Wednesday after the car he was riding as a passenger in was rear-ended by another vehicle on a freeway transition road in La Canada Flintridge, authorities said.
The crash took place shortly after 6 p,m, on the northbound 2 Freeway connector to the westbound 210 Freeway, according to California Highway Patrol logs.
The victim who died was riding as a passenger in a 2015 Volkswagen Jetta being driven by a 38-year-old Sylmar man, CHP officials said in a written statement. The Jetta was stopped behind traffic on the transition road.
“A (2015) Subaru Outback was approaching the Jetta from behind at a speed greater than 35 mph when the driver suddenly swerved to the left as he collided into the rear of the Jetta,” according to the statement. Thirty-five mph is the posted speed limit on the transition road.
“The impact from the collision caused the Jetta to spin in a westerly direction, where it collided into the rear of a stopped (2015) Honda CRV,” the statement said.
Both the driver and passenger of the Jetta were taken to Huntington Hospital in Pasadena for treatment, officials said. The passenger succumbed to his injuries a short time later. The driver suffered injuries described as moderate.
The 25-year-old Woodland Hills man at the wheel of the Outback suffered minor injuries, according to the CHP. The driver of the CRV was unhurt.
No arrests were made as the crash remained under investigation by the CHP’s Altadena-area office. Intoxicated driving was not initially suspected to be a factor.
Anyone with information can reach the CHP’s Altadena-area office at 626-296-8100.

CHP hosts “Start Smart” driving class for teens in Baldwin Park

Posted on February 23, 2017 by Brian Day

BALDWIN PARK >> As part of its ongoing efforts to keep young drivers and the motoring public at-large safe behind the wheel, the California Highway Patrol is hosting a free safe driving class for teens and their parents on Friday, officials said.
Both new and soon-to-be drivers are invited to take part in thetwo-hour “Start Smart Class,” which will be held at 6:16 p.m. Friday at the CHP’s Baldwin Park-area office, 14039 Francisquito Ave., CHP Officer Rodrigo Jimenez said.
The class focuses on safe habits, responsible decisions and collision avoidance.
Photos and pictures depicting the results of bad decisions behind the wheel will be displayed, and teens must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. A driver’s license is not required to participate.
To reserve a space, or for more information, Officer Jimenez can be reached at 626-338-1164, or via email at rjimenes@chp.ca.gov.

Elderly Alta Loma man dies after crash on 210 Freeway in Glendora

Posted on February 17, 2017 by Brian Day

GLENDORA >> An elderly Alta Loma man died Thursday morning following an apparently minor three-vehicle crash on the 210 Freeway, authorities said.
The man’s identity was not available pending positive identification and notification of family members, Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner officials said. California Highway Patrol officials initially described the victim as a 76-year-old Alta Loma man.
The 10:27 a.m. crash on the westbound 210 Freeway, east of Bonnie Cove Avenue, did not appear to involve violent forces, officials said. It was unclear whether the man may have suffered a medical emergency.
He was at the wheel of a 2003 GMC Envoy when traffic began slowing ahead, CHP Officer Rodrigo Jimenez said in a written statement.
A 2003 Dodge Ram being driven by a 69-year-old Claremont man failed to slow in time and rear-ended the GMC, Jimenez said. The impact pushed the GMC forward into the back of a Ford F-150 pickup truck traveling in front of it with a 53-year-old San Dimas man driving.
“The vehicles began to move to the right shoulder after the collisions, when for unknown reasons, the GMC Envoy continued to the right up the dirt embankment,” Jimenez said. “The GMC Envoy then continued back to the left across all traffic lanes and collided with the center divider wall where the vehicle came to rest.”
The driver of the Ford and another good Samaritan found the driver of the GMC unresponsive and performed CPR, officials said. Paramedics soon arrived and took over treatment as they took the man to Foothill Presbyterian Hospital in Glendora, where he was ultimately pronounced dead.
The two other men involved in the crash suffered no injuries, Jimenez said.
The incident remained under investigation. Anyone with information can reach the CHP’s Baldwin Park-area office at 626-338-1164.

Services planned for Baldwin Park man killed in Diamond Bar crash

Posted on January 6, 2017 by Brian Day

DIAMOND BAR >> Services have been scheduled for a 33-year-old Baldwin Park man who died last week when the car he was riding in with his wife was rear-ended by a pickup truck on the transition road between the 60 and 57 freeways.
Rodolfo “Rudy” Enrique Fuentes III died at the scene of the collision, which took place just before 5:50 a.m. on the westbound lanes of the 60 Freeway, where it merges with the 57 Freeway near Grand Avenue in Diamond Bar, according to California Highway Patrol and Los Angeles County coroner’s officials.
Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Jan. 13 at the Queen of Heaven Cemetery and Mortuary, 2161 S. Fullerton Road.
A funeral will be held from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Jan. 14 at the same location, followed immediately by a graveside service.
Fuentes’ mother, Annamarie Fuentes, thanked the community for its compassion over the past difficult week.
“The love and support has been tremendous,” she said. “We as a family appreciate all the kindness and love we have received by all.”
Fuentes’ wife was riding as a passenger in the 2007 Honda Civic when it was struck from behind by a Ford F-150 pickup truck, CHP officials and family members said. She was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver and passenger of the pickup truck declined medical treatment, CHP Officer Rodrigo Jimenez said.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the CHP’s Baldwin Park-area office.

PHOTO: Rodolfo “Rudy” Enrique Fuentes III. (Courtesy)

Hacienda Heights man fatally struck by car while skateboarding identified

Posted on December 31, 2016 by Brian Day

HACIENDA HEIGHTS >> Authorities have identified a 25-year-old Hacienda Heights man who was fatally struck by a car while skateboarding on Friday afternoon.
James Andrew Johnson died in the collision, which took place just after 12:10 p.m. in the intersection of Haliburton Road and Hacienda Boulevard, Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner Capt. John Kades said.
An autopsy found that Johnson died from “multiple traumatic injuries” and the death was ruled accidental, he said.
Johnson was riding a skateboard west along the south sidewalk of Haliburton Road just prior to the collision, Officer T. Zaspal of the CHP’s Santa Fe Springs-area office said in a written statement. A 22-year-old Arcadia woman was driving a 2013 Hyundai Elantra northbound along Hacienda Boulevard.
“The skateboarder entered the intersection and was struck by the Hyundai,” Zaspal said. “The pedestrian and the Hyundai came to rest within the intersection.”
Paramedics pronounced Johnson dead at the scene, officials said. The woman at the wheel of the Hyundai was unhurt.
The cause and circumstances of the collision remain under investigation.
Anyone with information was asked to contact Officer Campbell of the CHP’s Santa Fe Springs-area office at 562-868-0503.
Fund to help Johnson family are being collected online at www.gofundme.com/369nh3s.

PHOTO: James Andrew Johnson, 25, of Hacienda Heights. (Courtesy)

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