Guillermo Penaloza Arrested After Deadly Long Beach Hit-and-Run


In a tragic turn of events on Friday evening, Long Beach police arrested Guillermo Penaloza, a 34-year-old resident, following a deadly two-car crash that resulted in one fatality and left another person critically injured. The incident has not only shocked the local community but also highlighted the dangers of reckless driving and the swift response required from law enforcement in such situations.

According to the Long Beach Police Department, the crash occurred around 7 p.m. near the intersection of 14th Street and Cherry Avenue. Officers, who were engaged in proactive patrols in the area, had a brief verbal exchange with Penaloza as they passed each other in their vehicles. Shortly after this encounter, Penaloza was observed fleeing the area at a high rate of speed. Although the police did not engage in a high-speed pursuit, they did follow his vehicle for a brief period.

Not long after, officers were dispatched to the scene of a two-vehicle crash that was reported as a hit-and-run. Preliminary investigations revealed that Penaloza was driving a Chevy Suburban SUV westbound on 14th Street at a high rate of speed. As he entered the intersection of Cherry Avenue, his vehicle collided with a Saturn 4-door sedan. The impact of the crash was devastating.

The driver of the Saturn, a 33-year-old Long Beach man whose identity has not been released, was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries. Meanwhile, a female passenger in the sedan was hospitalized and remains in critical condition. The severity of the crash underscores the tragic consequences that can arise from reckless and irresponsible driving.

Penaloza fled the scene on foot, prompting officers to establish a large perimeter and call in the SWAT team to assist in the search. After nearly three hours, he was located and apprehended. Before being booked into Long Beach Jail, Penaloza was hospitalized for medical clearance. He has been charged with suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, felony hit-and-run, possession of a stolen vehicle, and resisting arrest. He is currently being held on a $50,000 bail.

The swift action by the Long Beach police in apprehending Penaloza highlights the importance of law enforcement’s role in ensuring public safety. Their ability to quickly establish a perimeter and coordinate a search with the assistance of the SWAT team was crucial in bringing the suspect into custody.

This tragic incident serves as a grim reminder of the potential dangers on the road and the devastating impact reckless driving can have on individuals and families. The community is left to grapple with the loss of a life and the critical condition of another, all while seeking justice for the victims.

Authorities are urging anyone with additional information about the incident to come forward and contact LBPD investigators at (562) 570-7355. As the investigation continues, the community remains hopeful for a swift resolution and justice for the victims.

Dean Fioresi, a web producer for CBS Los Angeles, continues to cover breaking news throughout Southern California. When not reporting on local events, he enjoys focusing on sports and entertainment. His dedication to providing timely and accurate news helps keep the community informed about crucial incidents like this one.

By | August 4, 2024

“Guillermo Penaloza Arrested After Fleeing Deadly Two-Car Crash in Long Beach”.

Long Beach police nabbed Guillermo Penaloza, the driver who bolted from a horrific two-car crash on Friday evening. The incident occurred around 7 p.m. near 14th Street and Cherry Avenue. According to the Long Beach Police Department, officers were conducting proactive patrols when they had a brief verbal exchange with Penaloza. Afterward, they noticed him speeding away but decided not to pursue immediately.

Shortly after, officers responded to a hit-and-run crash involving a Chevy Suburban SUV, driven by Penaloza, and a Saturn sedan. The SUV was speeding west on 14th Street and collided with the sedan at the intersection of Cherry Avenue. Tragically, the 33-year-old driver of the sedan was rushed to a nearby hospital but later died. His female passenger remains in critical condition.

Penaloza fled the scene on foot, prompting officers to establish a large perimeter and call in SWAT for assistance. After nearly three hours, they successfully located him. Before being booked into Long Beach Jail, Penaloza was hospitalized for medical clearance. He now faces charges of vehicular manslaughter, felony hit and run, a stolen vehicle, and resisting arrest, with bail set at $50,000.

If you have any additional information, please contact LBPD investigators at (562) 570-7355.

Driver who ran from scene of deadly two-car crash on foot arrested in Long Beach

Long Beach police have arrested the driver who ran from the scene of a violent and deadly two-car crash Friday evening. 

The crash happened at around 7 p.m. near 14th Street and Cherry Avenue, according to the Long Beach Police Department. 

Officers say that they observed the suspect, who has since been identified as 34-year-old Long Beach resident Guillermo Penaloza, while they were “working proactive patrols” in the area. 

“They had a brief verbal exchange with him as they passed on another in their vehicles,” the statement said. “After the exchange, officers observed Penaloza flee the area at a high rate of speed.”

They say that they did not engage in pursuit, but they did follow Penaloza’s vehicle for a short time. 

Briefly after this, officers were sent to the scene of a two-vehicle crash that was reportedly a hit-and-run. 

“The preliminary investigation revealed a Chevy Suburban SUV, driven by Guillermo Penaloza, was driving west of 14th Street at a high rate of speed,” the statement said. “The Suburban SUV entered the intersection of Cherry Avenue and collided with a Saturn 4-door sedan.”

The driver, only identified as a 33-year-old Long Beach man, was rushed to a nearby hospital where he later died. The passenger in his car, an unidentified woman, was hospitalized and remains in critical condition, police said. 

Penaloza fled from the scene of the crash on foot. Officers established a large perimeter in the area and called SWAT to assist with the search. He was located after a little under three hours. 

Before being sent to Long Beach Jail, he was hospitalized for medical clearance. Penaloza has been booked on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, felony hit and run, stolen vehicle and resisting arrest. He is being held in lieu of $50,000.

Anyone who may know more is asked to contact LBPD investigators at (562) 570-7355.

What Led to the Arrest of the Driver in the Fatal Long Beach Crash?

Long Beach police have arrested the driver who ran from the scene of a violent and deadly two-car crash that occurred on Friday evening. The incident took place around 7 p.m. near 14th Street and Cherry Avenue, according to the Long Beach Police Department. Officers on proactive patrols in the area observed the suspect, later identified as 34-year-old Long Beach resident Guillermo Penaloza. They had a brief verbal exchange with him as they passed in their vehicles. After the exchange, officers saw Penaloza speed away at a high rate and chose not to engage in a pursuit, but they did follow his vehicle for a short period.

How Did the Crash Occur?

Shortly after the officers’ encounter with Penaloza, they were dispatched to the scene of a two-vehicle crash reported as a hit-and-run. The preliminary investigation revealed that a Chevy Suburban SUV driven by Penaloza was speeding west on 14th Street. As it entered the intersection of Cherry Avenue, it collided with a Saturn 4-door sedan. The driver of the Saturn, a 33-year-old Long Beach man whose identity has not been released, was rushed to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The passenger, an unidentified woman, was critically injured and remains hospitalized. The details of the crash have been made available through the official Long Beach Police Department press release.

What Happened After the Crash?

Following the crash, Penaloza fled the scene on foot. Officers quickly established a large perimeter around the area and called in SWAT to assist with the search. After nearly three hours of searching, Penaloza was located and apprehended. He was first taken to a hospital for medical clearance before being transported to Long Beach Jail. Penaloza has been booked on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, felony hit-and-run, stolen vehicle, and resisting arrest. He is currently held in lieu of $50,000 bail. The local community is encouraged to provide any additional information they might have by contacting LBPD investigators at (562) 570-7355.

What Charges Does Penaloza Face?

The charges against Guillermo Penaloza are serious and multifaceted. He stands accused of vehicular manslaughter, which implies he caused the death of another person through reckless or negligent driving. The felony hit-and-run charge reflects his decision to flee the scene without rendering aid or waiting for authorities. Additionally, Penaloza faces charges related to possessing a stolen vehicle and resisting arrest. These charges collectively indicate a pattern of criminal behavior and poor decision-making. The exact details of these charges and their implications can be found in the Los Angeles Times.

What Can We Learn from This Incident?

Incidents like this serve as a sobering reminder of the potential consequences of reckless driving and poor decision-making. The loss of life and serious injuries profoundly impact the victims’ families and the community. It’s crucial for drivers to adhere to traffic laws and exercise caution to prevent such tragedies. Authorities continue to work tirelessly to ensure justice is served, as demonstrated by the swift actions of the Long Beach Police Department. For more detailed information on the incident and ongoing investigation, one can refer to the detailed reporting by CBS News Los Angeles.

Anyone with further information is urged to contact the Long Beach Police Department. Community cooperation can significantly aid in resolving cases and ensuring the safety and security of the area. For more updates on this story and other local news, visit the CBS Los Angeles news page.