Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - Two people died Monday in a major collision on Azusa Avenue.

The crash occurred on South Azusa Avenue at East Greenville Drive. First responders were called to the crash around 7:46 p.m. September 30. one of the vehicles reportedly overturned, according to West Covina Fire Department radio traffic.

One of the vehicles was being driven wrong way at the time of the crash, according to Lt. Travis Tibbetts of the West Covina Police Department.

Both vehicles collided head-on. One victim died at the scene. Another died after being hospitalized.

The West Covina Police Major Accident Investigation Team is determining the circumstances leading up to the crash, Tibbetts told SGV CityWatch.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

UPDATE: As of 7:45 a.m., all lanes are now open.

WEST COVINA - At least one person died in a multi-vehicle crash on the eastbound I-10 freeway just east of Azusa Avenue early Saturday morning.

Only the No. 5 lane is open. All other lanes remain closed until further notice, according to the California Highway Patrol.

It is unclear how the crash led to the fatality, but after the collision involving a blue Toyota Camry, a semi and at least one other car, occupants exited their vehicles and were standing in traffic lanes with other vehicles coming in fast, according to California Highway Patrol traffic logs.

The crash was reported to the CHP around 4 a.m. August 31. Debris apparently was spread across all lanes, necessitating a brief full lane closure of the eastbound side before law enforcement was able to open up one lane.

Details on the person who died at the scene we’re not readily available.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - A Tesla slammed into a power pole, dropping live power lines down on the crash scene Thursday.

First responders were sent to West Merced Avenue and South Orange Avenue around 1:50 a.m. May 2. Despite their efforts, paramedics declared the driver dead at the scene, according to the West Covina Fire Department.

The driver was the only occupant in the Tesla. No other injuries were reported.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - A pedestrian was struck and killed while running in lanes of the westbound I-10 freeway at Vincent Avenue Monday night.

The California Highway Patrol received at least one report of what the caller described as a woman running across freeway lanes, causing vehicles to swerve. The pedestrian was struck by a red Ford Explorer, according to CHP traffic logs.

First responders were notified of the collision at 10:14 p.m. Monday, April 15. The pedestrian, who has yet to be identified publicly, died at the scene, according to Officer Garcia of the California Highway Patrol.

It appears the collision happened in the HOV lane. A Sig Alert was issued for the HOV and the No. 1, 2 and 3 lanes.

By 2:16 a.m. the Sig Alert was canceled. Some officers still remain on scene for the investigation, Garcia told SGV CityWatch.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

LOS ANGELES - The motorcyclist and his passenger who died in a crash Thanksgiving afternoon were identified recently.

Malerie Santos and Adrian Fuentes, both 20 years old, were identified by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.

Both victims died at the scene of blunt trauma and there were no other contributing factors in their deaths which were ruled accidental.

The crash occurred on Amar Road at Westport Street. First responders were called around 5:10 p.m. November 23, according to the West Covina Police Department.

It is not immediately known what direction of travel each vehicle was in at the time of the crash, but it appears, given where the bodies were located, that the motorcycle was headed westbound on Amar Road.

The occupants in the sedan and SUV involved in the crash sustained minor injuries.

The West Covina Police Department Major Accident Investigation Team is determining what led to the crash.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - A motorcyclist is dead at the very same intersection where a crash, also involving a motorcycle, took two lives just one day prior.

This latest crash occurred at the intersection of Amar Road and Westport Street around 7:09 p.m. Friday, November 24. A westbound motorcyclist collided with a sedan in the intersection. The motorcyclist died at the scene. Two people inside of the sedan sustained minor injuries, according to Sgt. Steven Spagon of the West Covina Police Department.

Amar Road between Temple Avenue and Shadow Oak Drive remains closed during an investigation.

This reporter spoke briefly with two residents who live south of the affected intersection and both have said that fatal collisions have occurred at that intersection over the past few years and that the traffic light sequence is likely aiding in these collisions.

Spagon told SGV CityWatch that traffic collision investigators will have to meeting with the city’s Engineering Division to determine a course of action.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - A motorcyclist and passenger were killed in a collision involving two other vehicles on Thanksgiving.

As of now alcohol and drugs do not appear to be a factor in the crash that occurred on Amar Road at Westport Street. First responders were called around 5:10 p.m. November 23. Both the motorcyclist and passenger were declared dead at the scene, according to the West Covina Police Department.

It is not immediately known what direction of travel each vehicle was in at the time of the crash, but it appears, given where the bodies were located, that the motorcycle was headed westbound on Amar Road.

The occupants in the sedan and SUV involved in the crash sustained minor injuries.

The West Covina Police Department Major Accident Investigation Team is determining what led to the crash.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - Investigators are asking for the public’s help in locating a hit-and-run driver who left a pedestrian for dead August 28.

First responders were called to Glendora Avenue just north of Vine Avenue before 8:30 p.m. to an unresponsive pedestrian down in traffic lanes. The 72-year-old pedestrian was treated and taken to a hospital where he died, according to the West Covina Police Department.

The West Covina Police Major Accident Investigation Team. Obtained security video of the silver or white SUV striking thee pedestrian.

Anyone with information on this fatal crash is urged to call the West Covina Police Traffic Bureau at 626-939-8513.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - Three suspects were caught in West Covina August 18, allegedly found with a handgun, cutting tools and seven catalytic converters.

A resident confronted three men who were reportedly taking his catalytic converter in the early morning hours in the 1100 block of East Foothill Boulevard in Upland. One of the suspects allegedly brandished a firearm and threatened to kill the resident, according to the Upland Police Department.

The suspects fled in a Dodge Charger Hellcat, but were located by responding officers at Foothill Boulevard and Vineyard Avenue. The driver refused to stop and fled westbound on the I-10 freeway.

The suspects fled into West Covina where the driver lost control while exiting the freeway and crashed. The suspects briefly fled on foot, but were captured. One suspect even climbed a tree to elude capture, but an Upland PD K9 convinced him otherwise.

“The vehicle turned out to be stolen, had battery powered saws, and 7 catalytic converters inside. All three were booked on multiple felonies with bail enhancements,” according to the Upland Police Department in a written statement.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - A man from Victorville was booked on suspicion of felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter charges after allegedly crashing a vehicle into a flood control channel, killing his passenger, according to the West Covina Police Department.

First responders were sent to the crash at Valinda Avenue and Glendora Avenue just after Midnight April 23. Once first responders descended into the flood control channel, they found a passenger dead at the scene.

Driver Jose Felix Tamayo-Juárez, 24, was evaluated for minor injuries and later arrested. He is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail, according to the West Covina Police Department.

Roadways near the crash were closed for many hours but have since reopened.

Anyone with information on this investigation is urged to call West Covina Police Traffic Corporal Cychner at 626-939-8589.