A South Gate driver is now facing murder charges in connection with a Jan. 12 collision on Southern Avenue near South Gate Park that killed a 26-year-old woman, according to South Gate police. Investigators say they presented evidence to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, which has filed murder counts in the case.
The department publicly extended its condolences to the victim's family and said traffic-division detectives intentionally moved the investigation at a slower, methodical pace to ensure what it described as an accurate and just outcome. Police praised their traffic team, and said special prosecutors also commended investigators for their work.
In a Facebook post, the South Gate Police Department said its traffic-division investigators presented the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office on Feb. 17, and that "murder charges were filed pursuant to People v. Watson." The post thanked personnel for what it called "outstanding investigative work" and asked the public for patience while prosecutors review the evidence.
What happened on Jan. 12
Police and family members identified the victim as 26-year-old Aracely Macedo, who was walking with her younger sister at the Southern Avenue entrance to South Gate Park when a vehicle veered onto the sidewalk and hit her, according to ABC7. Video from the scene showed heavy damage to a light pole and a bench, and relatives told the outlet the driver struck other people before hitting Macedo.
Macedo, a Cal State Northridge graduate, was taken to a hospital and later died. The initial January investigation did not immediately lead to public charges.
Family and community reaction
Friends and relatives have held memorials and a run-and-walk fundraiser in Macedo's honor, and a GoFundMe was created to help the family, the CSUN student paper reported. Family members have publicly called for accountability and urged authorities to follow the evidence, telling ABC7 the driver had "plenty of time to stop." The community response has highlighted ongoing concerns about pedestrian safety along Southern Avenue near the park.
Charges and what comes next
According to the Facebook update, South Gate police formally presented the case to the District Attorney's Office on Feb. 17, and prosecutors then filed murder charges. The post did not list the defendant's name or an arraignment date.
The department said special prosecutors commended investigators for their efforts in what the agency described as a complex case, and reiterated that traffic-division detectives deliberately slowed the pace of the investigation to help ensure the most accurate and just result. South Gate police said they will continue working with the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office as the case proceeds.
