Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

ALHAMBRA - An alleged drunk driver was arrested September 7, accused of striking a parked vehicle on an Alhambra street.

The arrestee, 66-year-old Sergio Vazquez of Los Angeles, allegedly crashed into an occupied parked vehicle in the area of Palm Avenue and Teagarden Lane. When officers spoke to Vazquez, they detected a strong smell of alcohol, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

In addition, Vazquez allegedly displayed signs of intoxication and open beer containers were found in his vehicle. Vazquez was arrested and booked on suspicion of driving under the influence.

The District Attorney’s Office had different plans, apparently.

Vazquez was set to appear in court September 10, but was released with the explanation “DA reject per 849.5 pc. A detention only,” according to Los Angeles County booking records.

California Penal Code 849.5 states “In any case in which a person is arrested and released and no accusatory pleading is filed charging him with an offense, any record of arrest of the person shall include a record of release. Thereafter, the arrest shall not be deemed an arrest, but a detention only.”

Vazquez was released September 11.

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The arrest record in this article is being redistributed by SGV CityWatch and is protected by constitutional, publishing and other legal rights. Arrest information is public record and was distributed by government sources. The person named in this article has only been arrested on suspicion of the crime(s) listed and is presumed innocent.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

ALHAMBRA - Detectives on a stakeout caught a driver who eluded South Pasadena and Alhambra officers multiple times.

Lawrence White, a 28-year-old Pasadena resident, was caught in that city March 13 after detectives learned his location and waited for the suspect to reveal himself, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

White is accused of evading South Pasadena Police officers who attempted to perform a traffic stop on him March 1, according to Los Angeles County Superior Court records.

During the South Pasadena pursuit, White is accused of striking another vehicle at Huntington Drive in Fremont Avenue. He continued to flee and allegedly ran a red light, according to the Alhambra Police department.

Alhambra Police officers located the suspect on three separate occasions and also attempted to stop him, but he continued to flee at high rates of speed, failing to stop at multiple stop signs and deliberately disregarded the safety of others through his reckless driving, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

Once White was detained, officers searched his vehicle and found a loaded firearm in the glove compartment, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

White was officially charged in court with two counts of felony evading a police officer, one count of misdemeanor hit and run causing property damage and carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle, according to Superior Court records.

White is being held in Lou of $150,000 bail at the twin towers correctional facility in Los Angeles. He made an initial appearance on March 15 and is scheduled to reappear in Alhambra, Superior Court April 2.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

ALHAMBRA - A pedestrian in a marked crosswalk was struck and fatally wounded by a motorist Tuesday afternoon.

The pedestrian, described as a 60 to 65-year-old woman, was hit around 2:13 p.m. at the intersection of Garfield Avenue and San Marino Avenue April 11. A driver made a left turn from westbound San Marino Avenue to southbound Garfield Avenue and struck the pedestrian who suffered major injuries, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

The woman was transported to a hospital and later died. The driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with traffic investigators.

Any witnesses to this collision, or anyone who may have additional information is urged to call the Alhambra Police Department Traffic Section at 626-570-5119.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

ALHAMBRA – A man suspected of driving under the influence was pulled from his burning vehicle after a crash October 20.

First responders arrived to the 700 block of North Atlantic Avenue around 2 a.m. Thursday and found the vehicle already on fire. Officers pulled the driver out of the vehicle and walked him to safety, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

“The driver of the vehicle showed symptoms of being under the influence of alcohol. He was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A blood sample was obtained from the driver and this case will ultimately be presented to the LA District Attorney’s Office for review of DUI charges,” according to the Alhambra Police Department in a written statement.

One officer was treated and released for smoke inhalation.

ALHAMBRA - The driver remained at the scene of a crash that killed a pedestrian July 30.

The crash occurred at Hidalgo Avenue and Main Street just before 9 p.m. The pedestrian, described as an older woman, died after being taken to Huntington Memorial Hospital, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

The pedestrian was in a crosswalk when the crash occurred. There is no evidence the driver was impaired, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is urged to call the Alhambra Police Department Traffic Section at 626-570-5119.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

ALHAMBRA - Six patrons inside an Alhambra restaurant were injured after a driver crashed through the front of a restaurant Thursday.

Police and firefighters responded to Chengu Taste, 828 W. Valley Blvd., around 1:26 p.m. November 18. Three victims were transported to a local trauma center with serious injuries and three other victims were transported to local hospitals with minor injuries, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

The driver, who remained at the scene and is speaking to investigators, allegedly attempted a left turn onto eastbound Valley Boulevard and mistook the gas pedal for the breaks, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

Valley Boulevard between Atlantic Boulevard and South Seventh Street will be closed for several hours, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

ALHAMBRA – A 2-year-old girl died from injuries sustained after she was struck by a vehicle in a driveway August 18, Alhambra Police said.

Officers responded to multiple 9-1-1 call of the collision in the 2200 block of Larch Street around 10:38 a.m. They found the child suffering major injuries, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

The girl was given first aid by Alhambra police officers and firefighters. The latter transported the child to a nearby hospital where she died. The child’s parents were in the area when the collision occurred.

“During the initial investigation, officers learned that the child had been struck by a vehicle in the driveway of a condominium complex. The driver of the car remained on the scene and is cooperating with traffic investigators.

Traffic investigators with the Alhambra Police Department are handling the case.

ALHAMBRA – A Santa Ana man was put behind bars March 24 after officers determined he was the driver in a deadly DUI crash.

The Alhambra Police Department accuses Marquez Juan Fuentes Lizardo, 22, of murder and felony DUI after one of his passengers, only identified as a 21-year-old woman, died in a crash Wednesday. Lizardo’s blood alcohol content was twice the legal limit, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

A four-door sedan westbound in the 3000 block of West Valley Boulevard crashed into a concrete light pole around 9:43 p.m. Police arrived and found the woman unresponsive in the vehicle. Two men who identified themselves as passengers were found standing near the vehicle

The woman died at a hospital.

“Although neither party claimed to be the driver at the time of the collision, a witness came forward and identified one of the males … as the driver,” according to the Alhambra Police Department in a written statement.

Lizardo showed signs of being under the influence and a breath test confirmed his intoxication, Alhambra Police said.

Lizardo is being held in lieu of $2 million bail ahead of a scheduled appearance in Alhambra Superior Court Friday, March 26.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

ALHAMBRA - A pedestrian was hit Hit by a vehicle and killed in the area of Garfield Avenue and Shorb Street, Saturday morning, Alhambra police said.

Officers responded to the collision at 7:50 AM April 25. Paramedics assisted the pedestrian who died at the scene, According to Sergeant Steven Carr of the Alhambra Police Department.

The driver who struck the pedestrian remained at the scene and is cooperating with investigators, Alhambra Police said.

“The driver and several witnesses stated that the pedestrian stepped off of the east Garfield Avenue curb without yielding to northbound traffic when he was struck,” Carr said an a written statement.

The pedestrian has not been identified yet and was only described as an Alhambra resident in his 40s, Carr said.

Alcohol and drugs are not suspected factors in the crash, Carr said.


The Driver Remained at the Scene. CLICK TO READ MORE

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

ALHAMBRA - A woman was injured by police gunfire Sunday and officers took two suspects into custody after a pursuit collision, Alhambra Police said.

The crash occurred in the area of West Mission Road and South Sixth Street around 3:30 a.m. January 5.

Alhambra Police could not provide more details. The investigation is now being handled by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau.

The woman wounded by gunfire received a injury considered not life threatening, according to Deputy Trina Schrader of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Information Bureau.

No officers were injured. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide detectives are en route to investigate the police shooting, according to Deputy Michelle Sanchez of the Sheriff’s Information Bureau.

The exact sequence of events of the incident are not publicly known yet.