Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

IRWINDALE - A 29-year-old stolen vehicle suspect was booked on suspicion of murder July 9, accused of crashing into and killing a bicyclist on Arrow Highway near Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area.

Jonathan Del Carmen Calixto, a Hanford resident, was allegedly driving the stolen white Land Rover eastbound on Arrow Highway when he collided with the bicyclist near the spillway to Santa Fe Dam around 8:31 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Irwindale Police Department.

after crashing, Calixto fled the vehicle, but was caught and taken into custody.

The bicyclist was identified as 50-year-old Raul Castaneda, a San Gabriel resident.

Castaneda was in the marked pedestrian crosswalk when struck, according to the Irwindale Police Department.

The marked crosswalk is controlled with traffic signals and further marked by flashing yellow lights warning drivers of the approaching crosswalk.

The Land Rover was originally pursued by El Monte Police after the El Monte Police Department received a call of a vehicle theft in progress at a dealership on nearby Peck Road. Officers stopped their pursuit due to the high-speed danger.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

IRWINDALE - A motorcyclist died after colliding with a Honda Civic on Arrow Highway Friday evening.

The crash was reported to first responders on Arrow Highway at Morada Street around 7:10 p.m. August 18. The rider on a 2021 Honda Rebel was westbound on Arrow Highway. The motorcycle crashed into the 2014 Honda Civic, which was turning west onto Arrow from southbound Morada Street, according to the Irwindale Police Department.

Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics declared the motorcyclist dead at the scene. He was only described as a male adult. The driver of the Honda Civic remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators.

It is not yet clear if alcohol or drugs played a role in the crash.

Arrow Highway from Vincent Avenue to Ayon Avenue was closed for five hours during an investigation by the Irwindale Police Department, which was assisted by the Baldwin Park, Azusa and Glendora police departments.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

IRWINDALE - A community tip led detectives to the house of a man police believe struck and killed a pedestrian April 29.

John Shin, a 33-year-old Baldwin Park man, was found at his home in the 5000 block of Azusa Canyon Road just before 2:30 a.m. April 30. Detectives spoke with the resident and after questioning, arrested Shin as the hit and run suspect, according to the Irwindale Police Department.

Shin was booked on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and felony hit and run. Shin posted $50,000 bond and was released from custody. His vehicle, which was towed from his home, is being held as evidence, according to the Irwindale Police Department.

A male pedestrian was found injured by a security guard conducting a perimeter check at a commercial complex in the 5000 block of Azusa Canyon Road Saturday, April 29, according to the Irwindale Police Department.

Still images from security video show a 12:49 p.m. time stamp. The SUV was seen driving in the dirt area near a railroad spur line.

Irwindale Police officers found the male pedestrian unresponsive and he appeared to be deceased. Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics responded and officially pronounced him dead at the scene.

“During the follow up investigation, detectives located surveillance footage from local businesses which captured a raised dark colored SUV running over the deceased subject and leaving the area at a high rate of speed,” according to the Irwindale Police Department in a written statement.

Anyone with more information regarding this crash is urged to contact Irwindale Police Detective Leonard Garza at 626-430-2290, or email at [email protected]. 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

IRWINDALE - Surveillance video reportedly caught a dark SUV striking, killing a pedestrian and fleeing the scene Saturday.

The male pedestrian was found by a security guard conducting a perimeter check at a commercial complex in the 5000 block of Azusa Canyon Road Saturday, April 29, according to the Irwindale Police Department.

Still images from security video show a 12:49 p.m. time stamp. The SUV was seen driving in the dirt area near a railroad spur line that crosses Arrow Highway.

Irwindale Police officers found the male pedestrian unresponsive and he appeared to be deceased. Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics responded and pronounced him dead at the scene.

“During the follow up investigation, detectives located surveillance footage from local businesses which captured a raised dark colored SUV running over the deceased subject and leaving the area at a high rate of speed,” according to the Irwindale Police Department in a written statement.

Anyone with information regarding this crash is urged to contact Irwindale Police Detective Leonard Garza at 626-430-2290, or email at [email protected]. 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

IRWINDALE - An Azusa man was killed when his 2015 Honda Accord struck a median and crashed into a palm tree early Saturday morning.

Rigoberto Nunez, 20, was identified by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner. He died from blunt traumatic injuries. His death was ruled accidental.

The coroner case is deemed closed and investigators did not list any drug or alcohol intoxication as potential contributing factors.

Nunez was southbound on Irwindale Avenue south of Central Street around 12:40 a.m. Saturday March 25 when the crash happened. Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics declared Nunez dead at the scene, according to the Irwindale Police Department.

Nunez was the Honda’s only occupant. No other vehicles were involved.

Anyone with information on this traffic collision is urged to contact Irwindale Police Traffic Investigator Officer Shawn Cory at 626-430-2244 or by email at [email protected].

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

IRWINDALE - A Pomona driver was tracked down and arrested, accused of striking and killing a pedestrian in Irwindale Tuesday night.

Patricia Lopez, 50, and the vehicle police said she drove during the crash were found in Pomona. Lopez was booked on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and felony hit and run charges, according to the Irwindale Police Department.

First responders were called to the 600 block of Live Oak Avenue around 9:21 p.m. and found an unresponsive male suffering major injuries and laying in the south easement of eastbound Live Oak Avenue. He died at the scene, according to the Irwindale Police Department.

A witness statement and evidence at the scene indicated the vehicle fled eastbound.

Lopez is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail. Court date information for Lopez was not available.

Any witnesses to this crash are urged to call the Irwindale Police Department at 626-430-2245. 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, 9:22 p.m.: Just before 8 p.m., the California Highway Patrol announced that all lanes of the southbound 605 freeway south of Live Oak Avenue were reopened.

IRWINDALE - A collision between a motorcycle and an unspecified truck has closed all except for the fast lane of the southbound 605 freeway just south of Live Oak Avenue, according to the California Highway Patrol Traffic Management Center.

The Live Oak Avenue on ramp is also closed. The collision was reported to the California Highway Patrol around 5:39 p.m. November 20.

IRWINDALE – A brazen driver fled a big rig last week after fleeing the scene of a crash and officers discovered both the big rig and trailer were stolen.

The driver fled a collision with another vehicle at Irwindale Avenue and Arrow Highway November 11. The Driver of the vehicle that was struck followed the big rig into Azusa where the suspect escaped on foot, according to the Irwindale Police Department.

The big rig was reported stolen to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. The trailer, packed with electronics, was freshly stolen from an Irwindale Business.

“Both vehicles were recovered to be released to their owners,” according to the Irwindale Police Department in a written statement.

No one was injured in the hit and run.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the suspect is urged to call the Irwindale Police Department Detective Bureau at 626-430-2245.

IRWINDALE – An Azusa man is facing felony evading charges and more after leading police on a pursuit into Baldwin Park August 25.

Esteban Steven Valenciano, 27, is accused of operating his ride without a license and is on Post Release Community Supervision. He was also found with an undisclosed amount of cocaine, according to the Irwindale Police Department.

Officers attempted to stop Valenciano for a traffic violation at Irwindale Avenue and Arrow Highway around 5:30 p.m. but he refused to yield. The chase tore its way into Baldwin Park when Valenciano lost control of his green Honda motorcycle and ate pavement at Badillo Street and Ramona Boulevard in Baldwin Park.

Valenciano was hospitalized for injuries considered not life-threatening and was released pending charges of felony evading, possession of a controlled substance, a probation violation and driving without a motorcycle license, according to the Irwindale Police Department.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

IRWINDALE - An alleged DUI driver and his alleged DUI passenger were arrested Friday morning after a crash sent their vehicle plunging into a rock quarry.

The driver, David Lorenzo Lopez, a 32 year old Downey resident, allegedly crashed through the front gate of Vulcan Materials, 16005 Foothill Blvd. When officers arrived, they found a sedan had crashed into a dirt berm and became stuck, according to the Irwindale Police Department.

Lopez was arrested at 2:19 a.m. Friday and booked on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Lopez’s 26-year-old passenger, Alexander Vincent Storace, a Glendora resident, was booked on suspicion for public intoxication.

Both men were released on citations after sobering up, the Irwindale Police Department said.

No injuries were reported.