BALDWIN PARK – The California Highway Patrol has scheduled a DUI checkpoint for an undisclosed location of unincorporated Industry and West Covina.

The checkpoint will begin at 7 p.m.

CHP officers trained in detecting driver impairment will staff the checkpoint and use handheld breath testing devices on those suspected of DUI. Every vehicle will be checked depending on traffic volume. If traffic is heavy, every third or fifth vehicle will be checked to ensure objectivity, according to the CHP.

CHP Baldwin Park Office Captain Susan Estrem said checkpoints tend to, “reduce the number of drinking drivers on the road, even though arrest totals do not rise dramatically”.  

The psychological aspect of knowing checkpoints are happening is a valued deterrent. “We advise the news media well in advance whenever a checkpoint is planned, since extensive publicity also is viewed as a legal safeguard,” Estrem said in a written statement.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

INDUSTRY – A child died from injuries sustained during a collision at North Grand Avenue and Valley Boulevard May 8, a Sheriff’s sergeant said.

The child was identified as 8-year-old Phillip Rosas, a Covina resident, according to Sarah Ardalani, public information officer with the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner.

An exam is scheduled to determine exact cause of death.

The alleged drunk driver, described as a 30-year-old man, remains hospitalized with a leg injury, according to Sgt. Hernandez of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Industry Station.

First responders were called to the scene just after 1 a.m. Sunday. The impact forced one of the vehicles up onto a sidewalk. A hydrant was sheared off in the crash.

Rosas was accompanied by three others, including a 12-year-old, inside the vehicle struck by the alleged drunk driver.

The suspected drunk driver was alone in the vehicle he drove. The charges he would be booked on once medically cleared are still under investigation, Hernandez told SGV CityWatch.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

CITY OF INDUSTRY - A man wanted for reckless driving was taken into custody after recklessly fleeing deputies late Thursday night.

The driver, identified as 24-year-old Carlos Barrera, was booked on suspicion of DUI, felony evading and assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, according to Sgt. Molina of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Industry Station.

The pursuit began around 11:23 p.m. in the area of Hambeldon Avenue and Valley Boulevard, Molina told SGV CityWatch.

Barrera was reportedly weaving across all lanes and refused to stop, according to Sheriff’s radio traffic.

Barrera allegedly at first led deputies on an exceedingly slow pursuit, sometimes moving at 10 miles per hour.

A deputy successfully used the PIT maneuver on Barrera, who then allegedly rammed the deputy’s patrol vehicle at Hurley Street and South Shipman Avenue, wounding him, according to Sheriff’s radio traffic.

“He suffered swelling and pain to his left knee,” Molina said of the injured deputy.

When the crash occurred, the deputy wound up halfway outside his damaged patrol vehicle, Molina told SGV CityWatch.

As the pursuit progressed, Barrera allegedly increased his speed to around 60 miles per hour while slithering through residential and business areas.

The patrol vehicle allegedly struck by Barrera was still operational, despite spraying engine fluid on the windshield, according to Sheriff’s radio traffic.

After Barrera slowed down, deputies attempted two more PIT maneuvers, the third times the charm with the suspect’s vehicle becoming disabled at Temple Avenue and Greycliff.

Barrera allegedly refused to surrender.

Deputies fired pepper ball rounds to get Berrera to flee, Molina told SGV CityWatch.

Barrera finally did surrender.