Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

COVINA - The Azusa Unified School District confirmed a student was the bicyclist struck and killed by a vehicle Monday morning.

“We were deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of one of our high school students. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to his family and the entire community during this difficult time. In response, we have made counseling services available to students and staff as we come together to grieve and support one another,” according to the Azusa Unified School District in a written statement.

The crash took place just before 7:30 a.m. on Monday, September 30 in the 1000 block of West Cypress Street near Northview High School. First responders found an unresponsive male bicyclist and attempted to revive him. He was declared deceased at the scene, according to Lt. Turner of the Covina Police Department.

The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene. No arrests have been made, Turner told SGV CityWatch.


The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner has yet to identify the juvenile.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

COVINA - Traffic investigators are still on scene of a fatal crash involving a vehicle and bicyclist that took place Monday morning.

The crash took place just before 7:30 a.m. on Monday, September 30 in the 1000 block of West Cypress Street near Homerest Avenue. First responders found an unresponsive male bicyclist and attempted to revive him. He was declared deceased at the scene, according to Lt. Turner of the Covina Police Department.

Turner declined to state whether the bicyclist was adult or juvenile. The crash occurred near Northview High School.

The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene. No arrests have been made, Turner told SGV CityWatch.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

COVINA - A motorcyclist died Saturday after colliding with a vehicle on Grand Avenue.

The motorcyclist was treated at the scene by Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics and transported to a hospital where the rider was declared deceased, according to Lt. Anthony Zavala of the Covina Police Department.

First responders were called around 5:18 p.m., September 21 to Grand Avenue just south of Arrow Highway.

The driver remained at the scene and is speaking with investigators. There is no suspicion at this time of DUI, Zavala told SGV CityWatch.

Both north and southbound lanes of Grand Avenue between Cienega Avenue and Arrow Highway are expected to remain closed for several more hours.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

COVINA - The Covina Police Department is asking for donations to aid the family of an officer who remains hospitalized from injuries sustained in a pursuit crash.

While all of the medical costs for Jesse Gutierrez are being covered, there are still financial gaps that need addressing, which is why the Covina Police Department is reaching out to the community for donations, according to Covina Police Chief David Povero.

Gutierrez remains in a medically-induced coma. He has been with the department for more than four years and is a newly-appointed K9 handler. He is married and has a 5-year-old son and 1-year-old son. He obtained the rank of sergeant while serving overseas with the Marine Corps, Povero said.

Officer Jesse Gutierrez was dispatched around 4 a.m. May 6 to investigate a disturbance call in the 500 block of South Eremland Drive. Gutierrez located a vehicle connected to the disturbance and attempted to speak to the driver, but the driver refused to exit the vehicle and fled. Gutierrez gave chase, but crashed and was seriously injured at Rowland Street and Shoppers Lane, according to the Covina Police Department.

Officers providing back up, continued to pursue the driver until the pursuit ended on the I-10 Freeway at Vincent Avenue. Alexis Santiago Avila, 27, was arrested.

“You can tell he’s lived a life of service and has been a great team member here at the Covina Police Department,” Povero said of Gutierrez.

Gutierrez’s K9 partner was in the police vehicle during the crash. The K9 was examined and is doing fine while being cared for by other Covina officers, Povero said.

The Peace Officers Research Association of California, in association with the Covina Police officers Association, is collecting donations to aid Gutierrez’s wife Beverly and his sons. The effort has a $50,000 goal and has raised nearly $40,000 so far.

Donate at the following link: DONATE NOW

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

COVINA - A police officer and his K9 were transported and evaluated after crashing during an early-morning pursuit.

The officer was pursuing a disturbance suspect who fled from him and other officers in the 500 block of Eremland Drive May 6. The crash occurred at East Rowland Street and Shoppers Lane, according to the Covina Police Department.

Officers were dispatched to investigate a disturbance call on Eremland around 4 a.m.

The pursuit suspect stopped and surrendered on the I-10 Freeway at Vincent Avenue.

Alexis Santiago Avila, 27, was taken into custody. He was booked on suspicion of felony evading, driving under the influence and driving on a suspended license, according to the Covina Police Department.

The condition of the officer and K9 are not publicly known.
​
The West Covina Police Department and California Highway Patrol are assisting with the investigation.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

COVINA - East and west traffic on Covina Boulevard remains closed between North Prospero Drive and North Barranca Avenue after a motorcyclist was killed in a crash with an SUV Tuesday.

Preliminarily the motorcyclist, a 63-year-old Glendora resident, was eastbound on Covina Boulevard and collided with an SUV driven by a 65-year-old San Gabriel resident who was westbound and turning south onto Grandview Avenue, according to Sgt. Marquez of the Covina Police Department.

First responders were sent to the scene around 6:38 p.m. February 27.

The motorcyclist was declared dead at the scene by Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics.

The SUV driver remained at the scene and is speaking with investigators.

DUI is not expected to play a factor in the crash, Marquez told SGV CityWatch.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

COVINA - A driver is in custody, accused of killing a pedestrian on Grand Avenue north of Covina Boulevard late Friday night and leaving the scene.

The pedestrian, only described as a middle-aged male, was reportedly outside of a marked crosswalk when the collision occurred in northbound lanes. He died after being taken to a hospital, according to Sgt. Keith Sutherland of the Covina Police Department.

First responders were sent to the location around 11:13 p.m. Friday, January 5.

The driver called police to report the collision. Officers located the driver at a nearby business and took them into custody, Sutherland told SGV CityWatch.

Alcohol and drugs did not factor into the crash, Sutherland told SGV CityWatch.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

COVINA - A wrong turn killed one person and led to four others being hospitalized Wednesday afternoon, deputies said.

The crash occurred on Badillo Street at Sunflower Avenue in unincorporated Covina around 1:03 p.m. November 29. The T-bone collision led to four people being trapped inside one vehicle and they required firefighters to free them from the twisted wreck, according to reports from the scene.

“Upon our arrival, the Los Angeles County Fire Department was performing lifesaving procedures on one of the injured passengers. Unfortunately, the injured passenger succumbed to the injuries sustained and was pronounced deceased on scene,” according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s San Dimas Station.

At least one person was transported to a waiting helicopter and flown to Los Angeles General Medical Center for further treatment.

Alcohol was recovered at the crash scene, but deputies determined none of the drivers were under the influence, according to the Sheriff's San Dimas Station.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

COVINA - A wrong U-turn killed one person and led to four others being hospitalized Wednesday afternoon, deputies said.

The crash occurred on Badillo Street at Sunflower Avenue in unincorporated Covina around 1:03 p.m. November 29. The T-bone collision led to four people being trapped inside one vehicle and they required firefighters to free them from the twisted wreck, according to reports from the scene.

“Upon our arrival, the Los Angeles County Fire Department was performing lifesaving procedures on one of the injured passengers. Unfortunately, the injured passenger succumbed to the injuries sustained and was pronounced deceased on scene,” according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s San Dimas Station.

At least one person was transported to a waiting helicopter and flown to Los Angeles General Medical Center for further treatment.

Alcohol was recovered at the crash scene, but deputies determined none of the drivers were under the influence, according to the sheriffs San Dimas Station.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CiyWatch Editor

COVINA - Covina detectives are still trying to determine what led an older driver to crash into a Metrolink train heading for San Bernardino Friday morning.

A Honda CRV and the Metrolink train collided while the vehicle was driven southbound on Barranca Avenue in the No. 1 lane, according to Sgt. Ray Marquez of the Covina Police Department.

A passenger on the train only complained of pain, Marquez told SGV CityWatch.

The collision occurred at 10:20 a.m. February 10.

Train 308, which struck the Honda CRV, was able to arrive at the Covina Metrolink Station to allow the 100 passengers to exit and seek alternate transportation, according to Metrolink Spokesperson Karen Bakar.

A large crane lifted the twisted Honda CRV from the Metrolink Right of Way.

The tracks were opened to resume train service at 12:39 p.m.

As of Friday evening, there was no status update for the driver’s condition. Detectives were still at the hospital where the driver is being treated, according to Sgt. Seok Lee of the Covina Police Department.