Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - One person is dead after reportedly intentionally crashing a car about 300 feet down into the Azusa canyon Thursday.

Just after 1 p.m., officers were called to check on the welfare of a driver by family members concerned for his mental health September 7. Officers were provided a description of the person and the vehicle being driven, which was located in North on Azusa Avenue in the city’s downtown area. The driver refused to stop and a slow-speed pursuit began, according to Lt. Jake Bushey of the Azusa Police Department.

“Approximately a mile up from the entrance of the canyon the vehicle intentionally went over the side and went down a 300-foot embankment,” Bushey said during a press conference.

First responders went down to check on the status of the driver and found the driver deceased, Bushey said.

The drivers name has not yet been released.

​Northbound traffic remains partially closed.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

LOS ANGELES - Coroner investigators revealed the cause of death of a man found face down and naked off of the side of a mountain road above Azusa February 13.

Christian Peña, 24, died of a gunshot wound to the leg. The death was ruled a homicide, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner.

A passerby saw the naked body face down in the dirt off to the side of the 2000 block of San Gabriel Canyon Road just before 6:30 a.m. February 13.

Detectives believe that Peña was shot elsewhere and dumped along the mountain road after detectives were unable to find any shell casings, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau.

Investigators did not have a California ID for Peña, but noted that he last listed New York as his state of residence.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

LOS ANGELES - Investigators have identified the man who may have been dumped along a mountain road in Azusa.

Christian Peña, 24, was identified by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner. Investigators have not yet scheduled an examination to determine the cause of death.

A passerby saw the naked body face down in the dirt off to the side of the 2000 block of San Gabriel Canyon Road just before 6:30 a.m. February 13.

Peña was reportedly found suffering gunshot wounds, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - A man reportedly found unclothed and face down in the dirt was declared dead at the scene, homicide investigators said.

A passerby reported the body just before 6:30 a.m. in the 2000 block of San Gabriel Canyon Road. There are no obvious signs of death, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

There is reportedly no suspect or weapon information.

Anyone with information on this death is urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

UPDATE, 5:28 p.m.: The roadway has re-opened, according to the Azusa Police Department.

​MOUNTAINS - A portion of San Gabriel Canyon Road remains closed Thanksgiving Day as investigators continue to piece together details of a fatal motorcycle crash.

The crash occurred near 2025 North San Gabriel Canyon Road around 10:30 a.m. November 24.

Numerous callers reported the crash. The male adult who crashed died at the scene. Initially, this is believed to be a solo collision. The cause for the crash is still being investigated, according to Lt. Jorge Sandoval of the Azusa Police Department.

The road was closed from the southern bridge at Mountain Laurel Way to the northern bridge, Sandoval told SGV CityWatch.

Caltrans is assisting with the closure. Residents with identification are allowed in.

A CHP closure originally spanned further up to East Fork Road for separate reasons.

AZUSA – Four police departments worked to put a dent into a persistent problem with speeding drivers and motorcyclists in the Azusa canyons Saturday.
 
An enforcement detail netted 67 citations from 76 traffic stops July 16. Citations were written for speeding and other vehicle code violations. One person was arrested for a DUI warrant, according to the Azusa Police Department.
 
Three vehicles were impounded during the Primary Collision Factor enforcement detail.
 
The enforcement detail was conducted by the Azusa, Baldwin Park, Irwindale and Pasadena police departments with funding provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety. 

AZUSA - The National Transportation Safety Board released a preliminary report recently indicating the causes that contributed to a crash that injured six of water Los Angeles County sheriffs rescue helicopter.

The Eurocopter AS332L1 that was being flown March 19 to treat and transport a crash victim along Highway 39 north of Azusa became engulfed in dust as it descended to about five feet above a dirt turnout. The main rotors struck a nearby tree. The helicopter crashed and rolled over in the landing zone, according to the NTSB.

Of the six people on board, four suffered serious injuries. Two received minor injuries.

The crash occurred around 5:07 p.m.

As the pilot in command, who was behind the controls, the other pilot and crew chief coordinated a landing, the trio discussed a potential dust hazard known as a “brownout” and tree hazard, according to the NTSB.

As the Sheriff’s Air Rescue 5 helicopter descended on the landing zone, the pilot in command heard the crew chief say “hold.” As the descent slowed, a dust cloud overcame the helicopter, according to the NTSB.

The six on board had to be extricated from the crashed helicopter. Brackets securing the pilot in command’s lap belt also fractured from their position, according to the NTSB.

The main rotor system and fuselage sustained major damage.

The wreckage was taken to a secure location for further investigation, according to the NTSB.

MOUNTAINS – A motorcyclist died Tuesday after a crash in the mountains far above Azusa, the CHP said.
 
The rider crashed on Highway 39 March 8 and was airlifted to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to Officer Kendricks of the California Highway Patrol.

The crash occurred around 4:30 p.m. The rider was southbound on Highway 39 at mile marker 25.16 when the 2014 Yamaha WR250 left the roadway at a curve at an unknown speed. The rider was ejected when the motorcycle overturned, according to the CHP in a written statement.
 
The U.S. Forest Service, Los Angeles County firefighters and a helicopter responded to Highway 39 near Morris Dam March 8 around 4:52 p.m.
 
The rider has yet to be identified.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

AZUSA - Police suspect a transient camp cooking fire in the San Gabriel Mountains led to a small spot fire Thursday.

The fire was reported to police at 5 p.m. in the 1900 block of North San Gabriel Canyon Road June 2. Officers used their patrol vehicle fire extinguishers and dirt to knock out the flames, according to the Azusa Police Department.

The fire was estimated at 10 feet by 10 feet, according to Los Angeles County Fire Department radio traffic.

Investigators detained former San Bernardino resident Daniel Velez, 42, and later booked him on suspicion of unlawfully causing a fire and occupying property without consent, Azusa Police said.

The occupying offense is a misdemeanor, Azusa Police said.

Velez is being held in lieu of $20,000 ahead of a scheduled appearance in the West Covina courthouse June 7, according to Los Angeles County booking records.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

REGION - The transient who admitted to setting the Ranch 2 Fire that burned above Azusa was sentenced to prison time recently.

Osmin Palencia, 37, pleaded no contest March 16 to one count of arson during an emergency. He was sentenced to five years in state prison. He must also register as an arson offender, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Palencia surrendered himself at the Azusa Police Department August 16, 2020.

The Ranch 2 fire burned more than 4,237 acres of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.

Investigators from the Los Angeles County Fire Department and Azusa Police quickly learned after the fire erupted that arson was to blame and named Palencia as a suspect.

Palencia is a transient who lived In the San Gabriel River near where the fire erupted, Azusa Police said.

The Ranch 2 Fire was first reported around 2:45 p.m. August 13, 2020.

The fire ignited along Highway 39 and Ranch Road, near homes nestled in the San Gabriel Mountains