Tragedy struck in Claremont when an alleged DUI suspect lost his life following a traffic stop that escalated into a use-of-force incident. The Claremont Police Department has confirmed the fatal result of a stop involving Diego Alfonso Rios, a 30-year-old man from Rancho Cucamonga. The situation unfolded on Friday, Nov. 28, after police received reports of a male acting erratically near Claremont Boulevard and Andrew Drive. As per a CBS News Los Angeles report, two calls had come in regarding Rios's behavior, with one witness claiming to have seen him enter a vehicle and drive away.
Local officers, upon arriving in the area, located Rios' driving and decided to intervene. During the traffic stop, Rios's actions led the officers to suspect he was driving under the influence. The incident took a turn when they asked Rios to exit his vehicle, and as reported by KTLA, an undetailed use-of-force sequence ensued. Rios became unresponsive during the encounter, at which point officers and, subsequently, paramedics attempted life-saving measures. Despite their efforts, Rios was pronounced dead after being transported to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center.
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner has been charged with determining the cause of Rios's death. Meanwhile, the seriousness of the incident has drawn the attention of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Homicide Bureau, which is investigating the matter. This investigation is being closely monitored by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office Justice System Integrity Division. "The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Homicide Bureau has been contacted and is conducting the investigation," the Claremont Police Department disclosed in their release.
Additional details emerged from a Daily Bulletin interview with LASD Homicide Bureau Lt. German Ochoa, who stated that "the preliminary investigation found the use of force was a controlled takedown after Rios resisted officers trying to handcuff him." The community and authorities are awaiting further information, which may develop once the involved officers have been interviewed. In this hour of need, anyone with insights into the incident is encouraged to reach out to the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau or may submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers.
