Officer Charged with Second-Degree Murder
Angelo Rodriguez, a 24-year-old California highway patrol officer, has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with a deadly crash that occurred last summer, prosecutors announced on Monday.
According to Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, Rodriguez was driving at high speeds in Norwalk during the early hours of 20 July when he collided with a civilian vehicle.
Details of the Incident
Prosecutors stated that Rodriguez was driving at least 130 mph while on duty. He was not using lights or sirens and had no clear justification for traveling at such a high speed.
Rodriguez allegedly struck the rear of a Nissan driven by 23-year-old Julie Harmori, which had three passengers inside. Following the collision, Rodriguez did not provide assistance to the victims nor did he activate his sirens to warn other drivers.
Instead, he moved his patrol car to the roadside and turned off its lights. Prosecutors noted that Rodriguez then left the scene without taking any steps to manage the crash.
When questioned, Rodriguez informed officials that a California highway patrol vehicle had been involved in an accident but did not disclose that he was the driver.
Subsequent Crash and Fatalities
Minutes after the initial collision, a second vehicle crashed into Harmori’s Nissan, causing it to ignite. The driver of the second vehicle, Iris Salmeron, was reportedly driving at 100 mph and was intoxicated at the time, with a blood alcohol content exceeding the legal limit. Salmeron has also been charged with second-degree murder.
Rodriguez later returned to the scene and found Harmori’s Nissan engulfed in flames. Following the incident, he was terminated from the California highway patrol.
Harmori, along with Armand Del Campo, Jordan Partridge, and Samantha Skocilik, died from injuries sustained in the second collision. Investigators believe the initial crash did not cause severe injuries.
Official Statements and Investigation
“This horrible tragedy could have been prevented had this officer not been driving at ridiculously high speeds for no reason whatsoever,” said Hochman.
was unable to obtain comments from California highway patrol officials regarding the case.
