Angelo Rodriguez, 24, allegedly slammed his patrol car into a Nissan Versa near the Rosecrans Avenue exit of the 605 Freeway South on July 20, disabling the car, authorities have previously said. Minutes later, a second car driving at speeds of more than 100 miles per hour crashed into the Nissan, causing an explosion. The driver of that car, Iris Salmeron, was allegedly drunk and has also been charged with murder, Hochman said. “This horrible tragedy could have been prevented had this officer not been driving at ridiculously high speeds for no reason whatsoever,” Hochman said. Rodriguez has been fired by CHP, Hochman said.

Source: Los Angeles Times March 17, 2026 14:16 UTC