Written by AARON CASTREJON 
CityWatch Editor 

SOUTH EL MONTE - A motorcycle crash took the life of a rider on a freeway transition road early Saturday morning.

The crash was reported around 2:30 a.m. on the connector from the eastbound 60 freeway to the northbound 605, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The rider likely crashed by himself.

A Good Samaritan in a green semi with a tractor trailer blocked the transition road until the CHP and Caltrans could properly enact a closure, which was done just before 3 a.m., according to CHP traffic logs.

A Sig Alert was issued for the transition roads to both north and southbound lanes of the 605 freeway. All lanes were reopened around 6 a.m.

Clarence Johnson, 42, died from blunt traumatic injuries. His death was ruled accidental, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.

It is not publicly clear what led to the crash.

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The death record in this article is being redistributed by SGV CityWatch and is protected by constitutional, publishing and other legal rights. Information about the decedent(s), including cause and manner of death, is public record and was distributed by government sources.

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Copyright 2026. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

SOUTH EL MONTE - A home was heavily damaged after a high-speed SUV was driven into early Sunday morning.

The crash occurred at 2246 N. Tyler Ave. just before 1 a.m. March 8. First responders arrived and found the driver trapped in the SUV, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Temple Station.

The driver was eventually freed.

It was not immediately clear if there was anyone occupying the home. The extent of the driver’s injuries is also unclear.

Attempts to gather additional details from the Sheriff’s Temple Station were unsuccessful.

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Copyright 2025. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

UPDATE, 10:38 p.m.: The shelter-in-place order has ended for the building fire in the area south of the I-10 Freeway, north and east of the 605 Freeway, and west of Santa Anita Ave. This also includes the area near Garvey Ave and Potrero Ave. The hazard has concluded, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

SOUTH EL MONTE - Residents and businesses near a metal recycling company are being asked to shelter in place as a highly-toxic fire rages on Wednesday.

The fire is burning at P&T Metals, 2215 N. Tyler Ave. The fire is now deemed a 3rd-alarm, allowing for additional resources to aid in the fire fight.

The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner has been called to the scene.

There are reports of propane tanks and titanium being stored at the business, which could present a greater hazard, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

First responders were called to the scene around 2:31 p.m. January 28.

P&T Metals is a family-owned metal recycler, operating for 58 years, according to the company website.

South El Monte officials continue to advise people to shelter in place:

• Go indoors immediately
• Shut and lock all doors and windows
• Remain inside and be prepared to self-sustain
• Follow instructions from emergency personnel

Please avoid the area to allow first responders to do their work. Updates will be shared as more information becomes available.

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Copyright 2025. All stories and original images published here are the exclusive property of SGV CityWatch and may not be republished in any form without the permission of this organization.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

LOS ANGELES - A 16-year-old is facing several charges in the fatal hit and run of a man defending his brother’s store from theft.

The teen, publicly unnamed due to his age, faces one count of murder and two counts each of second-degree robbery in the April 9 South El Monte robbery, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Investigators identified the vehicle used in the crime that took place at Giant Discount Store, 2039 Durfee Ave. The teen driver was located and arrested April 18, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Kourosh Yaghoubi, 63, was visiting his brother at his discount store when a teen entered and reportedly stole merchandise. Yaghoubi chased the teen into the parking lot where a physical altercation occurred, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

“During the altercation, a second suspect exited a dark colored sedan and also fought the vicitim. The suspects then entered the sedan and deliberately struck the victim with the vehicle several times,” according to the Sheriff’s Department in a written statement.

Yaghoubi died at the scene.

The case continues as investigators are attempting to identify several other suspects who were seen in the vehicle during and after the crime.

The teen appeared in court April 23 and is scheduled for another hearing June 2.

Anyone with information who can identify outstanding suspects is urged to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department'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

SOUTH EL MONTE - Investigators are looking for a shooter after a friend dropped off a gunshot victim at a hospital early Tuesday morning.

Hospital staff at Greater El Monte Community Hospital, 1701 Santa Anita Ave., alerted deputies to the gunshot victim just before 1 a.m. January 28.

Deputies were told the shooting occurred at Rosemead Boulevard and Garvey Avenue. A friend dropped the victim off at the hospital and left the vehicle there. Deputies found the vehicle, but no driver, according to a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department crime broadcast.

Deputies were investigating a possible gang aspect to the shooting.

The victim’s updated condition is not immediately known. Whether a suspect is in custody is also unclear.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

SOUTH EL MONTE - A Metro bus struck a parked and loaded flatbed connected to a semi early Wednesday morning.

As many as 12 people were injured in the crash. They were all sent to area hospitals, including the driver who suffered a back injury, according to Los Angeles County Fire Department radio traffic.

Seven people suffered minor injuries. Four suffered moderate injuries and one person is listed in critical condition.

The bus struck the semi on North Rosemead Boulevard and Klingerman Street just after 6 a.m. December 18.

It is not immediately clear what led to the crash.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

SOUTH EL MONTE - A pedestrian was killed after being hit by a van Tuesday afternoon.

A white Toyota Sienna van struck and killed the pedestrian near 750 Santa Anita Ave. just before 5:50 p.m. December 10. The pedestrian died at the scene, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The pedestrian was identified as 66-year-old Terry Xiao, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.

Caltrans assisted in temporarily shutting down traffic lanes on Rosemead Boulevard during the investigation.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

SOUTH EL MONTE - Possibly up to 100 pieces of mail were taken in a daytime burglary from a postal truck Friday afternoon.

The crime took place outside 1450 Merced Ave. around 1:22 p.m., according to Sgt. Santana of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Temple Station.

It is not publicly clear if the suspect physically broke into the mail truck, or if the truck was left open, allowing quick access for the theft to take place.

Deputies arrived within one minute of been called to the scene and searched the area, but no suspect was located. The suspect is described as a Latino male in a Dodgers hat and brown pants, Santana told SGV CityWatch.

A witness described a Nissan Altima leaving the scene, but it is unclear if the vehicle was driven by the suspect.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

SOUTH EL MONTE - A man was stabbed outside of South El Monte High School during an altercation, authorities said.

The man was stabbed as people were leaving the high school graduation June 5. He received injuries to his lower back and was taken to a hospital where he is recovering, according to Sgt. Santana of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Temple Station.

Deputies were already present on the campus, 1001 Durfee Ave., when the stabbing occurred just before 9:30 p.m. and quickly went to the scene. The suspect already fled the location, Santana told SGV CityWatch.

Santana could not elaborate on why the argument and altercation started.

The suspect was only described as a Latino man in his 20s. He was dressed in all black.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

SOUTH EL MONTE - Authorities need public assistance in locating a hit-and-run driver who killed a pedestrian early Saturday morning.

The fatal crash occurred in the intersection of Chico Avenue and Garvey Avenue around 7:20 a.m. April 27. The light-colored sedan that hit the pedestrian fled the scene, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

The pedestrian died at the scene, according to Lt. Kearney of the Sheriff’s Temple Station.

Anyone with information on this crash, or who can identify the driver, is urged to call the Sheriff’s Temple Station at 626-285-7171. Remain anonymous by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.