The Alhambra Police Department recently reported an arrest made due to a severe case of reckless driving. According to an update on the department's Facebook page, officers were patrolling near Garfield Ave. and Valley Blvd. when they noticed a vehicle speeding and engaging in dangerously erratic behavior. The car ultimately lost control at the intersection of Garfield Ave. and San Marino Ave., crashing into a wall and a traffic light.
Inside the wrecked vehicle were six individuals, most of whom managed safely to exit, but the driver, identified as Noe Portobanco of Alhambra, was trapped and needed to be freed by personnel from the Alhambra Fire Department. When questioned, Portobanco admitted to speeding because he had been drinking alcohol and was underage. He panicked upon seeing Alhambra Police Department officers, leading to the crash. "There was 'no reason'," he said, and that he "panicked when he saw APD because there was alcohol in the car and he knew he wasn’t old enough to be drinking."
Thankfully, no serious injuries were reported from the incident, and no other vehicles were involved. The Alhambra Police Department's swift actions brought the situation under control, and Portobanco has been arrested.
