Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

COVINA - An alleged DUI driver and his passenger were arrested September 3, allegedly attempting to escape the long arm of the law.

Covina officers attempted a traffic stop on the driver of a 2019 Honda Accord near Arrow Highway and Bonnie Cove Avenue for traffic violations, according to Sgt. Gonzalez of the Covina Police Department.

The driver entered an apartment complex to ditch the fuzz. Then the pursuit initiated.

The driver fled at 20 miles per hour above the posted speed limit and used evasive maneuvers to evade arrest, Gonzalez told SGV CityWatch.

The pursuit ended with a suspect search in two neighborhoods near Superior Grocers at the dead ends of West Bygrove Street and West Gragmont Street.

Gabriel Espinoza, 38, was booked on suspicion of evading a peace officer, driving under the influence and delaying a peace officer. He was issued a citation and released, according to Los Angeles County booking records.

Also arrested was Melissa Calderon, 38, booked on suspicion of delaying an officer and public intoxication. She was also issued a citation and released, according to county booking records.

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Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

COVINA - No injuries were reported after an alleged DUI driver in an RV drove through an active railroad crossing and struck a westbound Metrolink train after crashing at a nearby business, police said.

The railroad gates were down when the unnamed driver in the RV allegedly drove through them on southbound Grand Avenue. A Metrolink train was already through the intersection, according to Lt. Dan Regan of the Covina Police Department.

The RV struck the back of the train according to Paul Gonzales, public affairs manager for Metrolink.

The collision is considered only a misdemeanor offense. The driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI, issued a citation and released.

The collision happened around 6:41 p.m. July 11.

“The train continued to go westbound, stopping in Covina, Baldwin Park and ultimately El Monte,” Regan told SGV CityWatch.

The train’s engineer apparently did not known a collision happened. Covina Police informed Metrolink of the crash and Metrolink dispatchers ordered the train to stop so the train’s crew could inspect for damage, which was located towards the rear of the train, Gonzales told SGV CityWatch.

During the investigation, Covina officers were told that the RV’s driver collided with some property at a business in the 4700 block of N. Grand Ave., Reagan told SGV CityWatch.

The driver was hauling some sort of trailer behind his RV, but it jackknifed at the business and separated from the RV. It was left at the scene.

The first collision occurred in the county area of Covina. The California Highway Patrol responded to the abandoned trailer to write a report, Reagan told SGV CityWatch.

Metrolink workers repaired the broken gate arms.

The railroad tracks between the Pomona North Metrolink station and the Covina station we are temporarily closed while repairs are made and an investigation was conducted.

The Los Angeles bound train that was struck by the RV was canceled at the El Monte station, while a San Bernardino bound train was canceled, Metrolink said.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office could potentially additionally charge the driver with hit-and-run and for a potential issue regarding a suspended license, Reagan told SGV CityWatch.