A man has been arrested in connection with a deadly hit-and-run crash in Long Beach, and according to authorities, officers had briefly spoken with him moments before the collision.
A media release from the Long Beach Police Department states that officers were dispatched to the intersection of Cherry Avenue and 14th Street just before 7 p.m. Friday on reports of a traffic collision between two vehicles.
“Officers began lifesaving measures until the Long Beach Fire Department arrived and took over medical aid,” the LBPD release said. “The male adult driver and female adult passenger of the impacted vehicle were transported to a local hospital…the driver later succumbed to his injuries and the passenger was reported in critical condition.”
Neither victim was immediately identified.
Detectives quickly set up a perimeter and began searching for the suspect; after approximately two hours and 42 minutes, 34-year-old Guillermo Penaloza was located and arrested, LBPD said.
Penaloza, a Long Beach resident, was booked for vehicular manslaughter, felony hit-and-run, possession of a stolen vehicle and resisting arrest. His bail was set at $50,000.
The preliminary investigation revealed a Chevy Suburban SUV driven by Penaloza was driving westbound on 14th Street “at a high rate of speed” when it collided with a 4-door Saturn sedan that was driving south on Cherry Avenue.
LBPD disclosed that officers working “proactive patrols” had observed Penaloza in his vehicle and “had a brief verbal exchange” with him as they passed one another in their vehicles.
“After the exchange, officers observed Penaloza flee the area at a high rate of speed,” police said. “The officers were not engaged in a pursuit, but they did follow the vehicle from a distance.”
“Speed and disregard for public safety appear to have contributed to this incident,” authorities added.
Anyone with information surrounding the deadly crash is urged to contact Collision Investigation Detective Dougherty by calling 562-570-7355.
To submit an anonymous tip, call L.A. Crime Stoppers (1-800-222-8477) or visit www.lacrimestoppers.org