Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) Collision Investigation detectives report a fatal traffic incident on Aug. 2, which led to the arrest of a suspect now facing multiple charges.
Officers responded to an emergency call at Cherry Avenue and 14th Street at about 6:55 p.m., where they found two vehicles involved in a serious collision, the Long Beach Fire Department assisted by providing medical aid the injured parties included a male driver and a female passenger in the Saturn sedan, tragically, the male later died at the hospital while the female remains in critical condition. The suspect had fled the scene, instigating a manhunt involving SWAT resources, and, after nearly 3 tense hours, he was detained and identified as Guillermo Penaloza, a Long Beach resident, aged 34.
Penaloza is presently held at the Long Beach City Jail on a $50,000 bail, as he faces charges that include vehicular manslaughter, felony hit-and-run, possession of a stolen vehicle, and resisting arrest, according to the LBPD’s statement.
The preliminary inquiry by the LBPD unfolded that Penaloza, driving a Chevy Suburban SUV, allegedly sped through the intersection colliding with the Saturn, moments before the crash, while operating in a proactive patrol, LBPD officers interacted with Penaloza who then sped away, the officers not engaging in a high-speed pursuit, chose to follow at a distance despite this, it seems Penaloza's speed and reckless actions precipitated the fatal result.
While the name of the deceased is withheld until kin notice, the LBPD encourages anyone with information to reach out to Collision Investigation Detective Dougherty at 562-570-7355 or offer anonymous tips through "LA Crime Stoppers."
