Following an extensive investigation into a tragic crash that occured on January 29, 2023, Long Beach Police Department's Collision Investigation detectives have finally closed the case with an arrest. The incident, which led to the untimely death of Roberto Rodriguez, has seen 31-year-old Ivan Olarte-Torres taken into custody after evidence indicated he operated his vehicle at an excessively high speed during the collision. On January 27, 2026, detectives apprehended Olarte-Torres at his Whittier residence, placing him behind bars at Long Beach City Jail on a vehicular manslaughter charge, as reported by the Long Beach Police Department.
Details surrounding the incident were that a 1996 Toyota Camry was traveling southbound on Magnolia Avenue when it was struck by a northbound 2021 Hyundai Sonata, which was driven by Olarte-Torres in the wrong lane. The force of the impact fatally injured the Toyota driver and caused his vehicle to collide with several parked cars. Olarte-Torres, critically injured, was transported to a local hospital. Authorities confirmed that driving under the influence was not considered to be a contributing factor at the time of the crash.
The Long Beach Fire Department and LBPD responded swiftly to the scene of the accident, which involved two vehicles, near Magnolia Avenue and Hill Street. The calamity demanded that the first responders transport one driver to the hospital, while unfortunately, the other was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigations deployed to unravel the case later led to the charge of vehicular manslaughter against Olarte-Torres three years later.
The Long Beach Police Department continues to urge anyone with additional insight into the collision to come forward and speak up. Witnesses can directly contact the L.B.P.D. Collision Investigation Detectives at (562)570-7355. For those wishing to provide information anonymously, they can reach out to "LA Crime Stoppers" by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the "P3 Tips" smartphone app, or visiting the website www.lacrimestoppers.org. This case serves as a poignant reminder of the responsibilities that come with the privilege to drive and the irreversible consequences that can tragically unfold when those responsibilities are neglected.
