Former CHP Officer Charged With Murder Over Fatal 605 Freeway Crash
A former California Highway Patrol officer, Angelo Rodriguez, 24, has been charged with murder for a chain-reaction crash on the southbound 605 Freeway near Norwalk that killed four after he allegedly slammed his patrol cruiser into a Nissan Versa at about 130 mph and lingered at the scene for nearly three minutes instead of aiding victims or warning other motorists; minutes later, a second car hit the disabled vehicle and exploded. Iris Salmeron, the other driver, is also expected to be charged with murder. The victims were Julie Hamori, Armand Del Campo, Jordan Partridge and Samantha Skocilic. Rodriguez has been fired; prosecutors seek an $8 million bail for both defendants, who are due to be arraigned. CHP says the investigation was thorough, while families call for safety reforms.
