Pedestrian killed on 10 Freeway in Pomona identified


POMONA >> Coroner’s officials have identified a 38-year-old man who died after being struck by several vehicles while running across the 10 Freeway in Pomona on Thursday night.
Daniel Rodriguez of Bell died at the scene of the collisions, which took place about 11:10 p.m. in the westbound lanes of the 10 Freeway, just west of Towne Avenue, Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner Investigator Kelly Yagerliner said.
According to witnesses, Rodriguez ran from the center divider into traffic lanes, directly into the path of a 1996 Ford Ranger pickup truck, according to Officer M. Walters of the CHP’s Baldwin Park-area office said in a written statement.
The truck driver was unable to stop in time and struck Rodriguez, Walters said. Several additional vehicles also struck Rodriguez following the initial impact.
An autopsy found that Rodriguez died from “multiple traumatic injuries,” however a mode of death — such as accident or suicide — was yet to be determined, coroner’s officials said.
It was unclear why Rodriguez was on the freeway.
Anyone with information can reach the CHP’s Baldwin Park-area office at 626-338-1164.

Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Linkedin Email

Pedestrian fatally struck by vehicles on 10 Freeway in Pomona


POMONA >> A man died after being struck by several vehicles while running across the 10 Freeway in Pomona late Thursday, authorities said.
The incident took place about 11:10 p.m. in the westbound lanes of the 10 Freeway, just west of Towne Avenue, California Highway Patrol officials said.
The pedestrian’s identity was yet to be determined Friday afternoon, Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner Assistant Chief of Operations Ed Winter said. He was listed at the coroner’s office as a “John Doe.”
A 28-year-old San Gabriel man was driving a 1996 Ford Ranger pickup truck at about 70 mph in the No. 2 lane, in light traffic, when he spotted the pedestrian running from the center divider into traffic lanes, Officer M. Walters of the CHP’s Baldwin Park-area office said in a written statement.
The driver of the pickup truck braked, but was unable to stop in time to avoid colliding with the pedestrian, the officer said.
“After the collision, the pedestrian was struck by several passing vehicles,” Walter said.
As a result of the fatal collision, all lanes of the westbound 10 Freeway were shut down for about four hours.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information can reach the CHP’s Baldwin Park-area office at 626-338-1164.

Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Linkedin Email

Motorcyclist killed in crash on 60/71 freeway interchange in Pomona


POMONA >> A 30-year-old man died late Saturday in a motorcycle crash on a transition road between the 60 and 71 freeways in Pomona, authorities said.
Paramedics pronounced Christopher L. Smith of Los Angeles died at the scene of the solo-vehicle crash, which was reported about 10:50 p.m. on the transition road from the westbound 60 Freeway to the northbound 71 Freeway, California Highway Patrol Officer D. Crislip said in a written statement.
Smith was riding a 2000 Kawasaki Ninja 500 at about 80 mph when he lost control, according to the CHP.
“For unknown reasons, Mr. Smith allowed (the motorcycle) to leave the roadway and its front tire struck the raised asphalt curb,” Crislip said. “Mr. Smith was ejected from (the motorcycle) onto the asphalt roadway, where he succumbed to his injuries.”
Smith was wearing a helmet, officials added.
The cause of the crash remained under investigation. Any witnesses or anyone with information was asked to contact the CHP’s Baldwin Park-area office at 626-338-1164.

Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Linkedin Email

Police: Ontario man stabbed while trying to break up fight in Pomona


POMONA >> Police are seeking an attacker who stabbed an Ontario man as he tried to break up a fight in a Pomona parking lot early Saturday morning, officials said.
Police responded about 1:50 a.m. to reports of a stabbing at Garey Avenue and 2nd Street, Pomona police Lt. Marcus Perez said in a written statement. Officers encountered an Ontario man in his 40s who had been stabbed in the upper torso.
“The victim was coherent and stated that he received the injuries while trying to break up a fight in the parking lot,” Perez said.
Officials flew the wounded man to a hospital for treatment by helicopter, police said. He was listed in serious but stable condition.
The attacker was described only as male. He was believed to have fled the scene in a gray Chevy Cruze with paper license plates.
Anyone with information can reach Pomona police at 626-620-2085. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Linkedin Email

4 killed, 4 hurt in hit-and-run crash on 60 Freeway in Pomona


POMONA >> Four people died and four other were hurt in a hit-and-run collision on the 60 Freeway in Pomona early Saturday morning, authorities said.
The crash took place about 5 a.m. on the eastbound 60 Freeway, just west of Reservoir Street, California Highway Patrol officials said in a written statement.
The eight victims, four men and four women between 21 and 49 years old, were all riding in a 2003 Ford Explorer and on their way home after a night out at Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights when the crash occurred.
All four of those killed were passengers, and all were residents of Lake Elisnore, officials said.
They were identified as Elba Rosales, 26; Luis Herrera, 29; Noemi Herrera, 21; and Gerardo Herrera, 49, Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner Acting Lt. B. Kim said. The relationship between the victims was not available.
The four survivors, two men and two women, were hospitalized with injuries ranging from moderate to major, CHP Officer Rodrigo Jimenez said.
The Explorer, which was only configured to seat seven people, was traveling in the No. 2 lane at 65 to 75 miles per hour when a newer-model white vehicle struck the left side of the SUV, according to CHP Officer S. Sullinger.
(The Explorer driver) immediately lost control of her vehicle as it veered sharply to the right,” Sullinger said. “(The Explorer) subsequently overturned within the No. 4 lane and on the right shoulder area.
“The vehicle continued to overturn multiple times down a dirt embankment, across the Reservoir Street offramp, down a second dirt embankment, and finally came to rest against the chain-link perimeter fence,” Sullinger said.
Four victims were pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.
Six of the eight people inside the Explorer were thrown from the SUV, he said.
Investigators found damage, and possible paint transfer, on the left side of the SUV that appeared consistent with the account of the driver, a 25-year-old Lake Elisnore woman, Jimenez said.
A detailed description of the hit-and-run car was not available, Jimenez said.
Of the four people who died, only one was wearing a seat belt, officials said.
The victims had just spend the evening at Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Night and stopped for dinner before the crash occurred as they were on their way home, Jimenez said.
There was no indication the crash involved alcohol or drugs, officials said.
The fatal crash resulted in a Sig Alert that affected the freeway and nearby connector roads through Saturday afternoon.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the CHP’s Baldwin Park area office at 626-338-1164.

Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Linkedin Email

UPDATED: 15-year-old boy wounded in Pomona drive-by shooting


POMONA >> For the second night in a row, a drive-by shooting in a residential neighborhood left a teenage Pomona boy wounded late Wednesday, authorities said.
The shooting took place about 9:30 p.m. in the 2900 block of Hollander Street, near Harrison Avenue, Pomona police Sgt. Jaime Gutierrez said.
Shots were fired from a passing dark-colored four-door sedan, Sgt. Vincent Terrell said in a written statement.
“Based on preliminary information gathered from witnesses and the victim, the victim was outside of a residence when the suspect vehicle drove by and a suspect inside the vehicle fired several shots striking the victim,” Terrell said.
The wounded teen, 15, was hospitalized in stable condition, officials said. No further details were available.
A similar episode unfolded just under 24 hours earlier across town at Valley Boulevard and Dupont Street, police said.
A teenage boy showed up at a local hospital with gunshot wounds shortly before 10 p.m. Tuesday, Sgt. Robert DeVee said in a written statement.
“Officers arrived and spoke to the victim who stated he was walking in the area of Valley and Dupont when the suspect vehicle drove by and fired several shots,” he said. “The victim was hit in the upper torso.”
The young victim was later transported to a trauma center for continued treatment.
Police described the car in which the attacker or attackers rode as a older-model, dark-colored sedan.
Anyone with information can reach Pomona police detectives at 909-620-2095. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Linkedin Email

Officials identify San Bernardino man killed in Pomona crash


POMONA >> Officials have identified a San Bernardino man who died in a crash on the 71 Freeway in Pomona on Friday night.
Brayan Noe Andrade Pacheco, 23, died at the scene of the 11:50 p.m. crash on the 71 Freeway at Old Pomona Road, Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner Investigator John Kades said.
He was in a northbound car that crossed into opposing traffic and struck another vehicle in the southbound traffic lanes, Pomona police officials said.
Another person in the northbound car was also seriously injured, police said. It was not initially clear whether Andrade Pacheco had been the driver or a passenger.
One person in the southbound vehicle suffered injuries described as serious, while two others were treated for moderate injuries.
The investigation is ongoing.

Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Linkedin Email

1 killed, 4 injured in crash on the 71 Freeway in Pomona


POMONA >> A man died and four other people were injured when a car crossed into opposing traffic and slammed into another vehicle on the 71 Freeway in Pomona late Friday, officials said.
The dead man was yet to be identified Saturday, Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner Lt. David Smith said. He was initially described only as a man estimated to be in his 20s.
The crash took place just before 11:50 p.m. on the 71 Freeway at Old Pomona Road, Pomona police Cpl. Alyssa Bostrom said in a written statement.
“A vehicle was traveling northbound on the SR 71 at a high rate of speed, lost control and collided with a vehicle traveling southbound on the SR 71,” Bostrom said.
On person inside the northbound car died at the scene, she said. It was unclear whether he was a drive or passenger.
A second occupant of the northbound vehicle suffered serious injuries, police said.
One person inside the southbound car suffered serious injuries, while two others were treated for injuries described as “moderate,” Bostrom said.
“Officers are still working to positively identify the persons involved in the collision,” she said.
The cause of the crash remained under investigation by the Pomona Police Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team.
According to California Highway Patrol logs, a Sig Alert remained in effect on the 71 Freeway until shortly before 7 a.m. Saturday.
Anyone with information was asked to contact Pomona police traffic investigators at 909-620-2081.

Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Linkedin Email

Pomona woman killed in freeway crash identified

AR-160819883

POMONA >> Coroner’s officials have identified a Pomona woman who died in a solo-car crash on a freeway connector road early Friday.
Chelsea Tarin, 23, died at the scene of the 6:30 a.m. crash on the transition road from the southbound 57 Freeway to the eastbound 10 Freeway, on the border between San Dimas and Pomona, Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner Lt. David Smith said.
POMmapShe was at the wheel of a 1993 Toyota Camry when it went of the left side of the roadway, struck a lamp post, then struck a cement support pillar beneath the 57 Freeway along the right side of the connector road, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Rodrigo Jimenez.
Paramedics pronounced Tarin dead at the scene.
An autopsy determined Tarin died as a result of “traumatic injuries,” and the death was ruled accidental, Smith said.
A fund to benefit Tarin’s family has been set up online at www.gofundme.com/2jjhcak.
Friday’s fatal crash was the second fatality reported on the same transition road in just over a week.
Juan Manuel Machuca Jr., 22, of San Bernardino died on Aug. 4 when his Ford Explorer veered off the side of the road and overturned, according to the CHP.

PHOTO by Beatriz Valenzuela

Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Linkedin Email

Man, three women arrested in Pomona prostitution sting

POMONA >> Police arrested three alleged prostitutes and one alleged facilitator to prostitution during a sting in Pomona on Tuesday afternoon, officials said.
The Pomona Police Department’s Major Crimes Task Force, along with Pomona police detectives, conducted the operation along the city’s East Holt corridor, “which is an area known for prostitution related activity,” Pomona police Sgt. Brian Hagerty said in a written statement.
Both uniformed and undercover officers took part, ultimately arresting three women on suspicion of prostitution, the sergeant said.
Arrested were Terrill Gayden, 32, of Fontana, on suspicion of aiding or supervising prostitution, as well as LaWana Roberson, 21, of Fontana, Porcha Chavez, 24, of Lancaster and Amy Hunt, 42, of Pomona, on suspicion of loitering with intent to commit prostitution, according to police and Los Angeles County booking records.
“The Pomona Police Department takes a proactive approach in improving the quality of life issues by deterring prostitution and human trafficking in the City of Pomona,” Hagerty said. “These types of operations serve as an opportunity for victims of Human Trafficking to speak with officers about the dangers of this lifestyle and provide advocates the opportunity to relocate them to safe locations. Similar operations are scheduled to take place in the near future.”
According to booking records, Gayden and Hunt were released from custody pending their initial court appearances. Chavez and Roberson, who each had pre-existing criminal cases, were being held in lieu of $52,000 and $77,000 bail, respectively.
Anyone with tips regarding prostitution-related activity is asked to contact Pomona police at 909-620-2085. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Linkedin Email