POMONA – Updates to a traffic incident on the streets of Pomona have produced dire results. What began innocently enough as a traffic stop at 3:51 PM on Wednesday 02/03/2021 escalated quickly.
When a Pomona Police Officer observed a vehicle code violation, an attempt was made to stop the car. The driver failed to stop.
According to Pomona PD’s Traffic Division, “In an attempt to evade the police, the suspect began to drive the vehicle with a willful disregard for public safety.”
As a result, the runaway car collided with another vehicle at an intersection. Arriving officers at the scene on San Antonio Avenue and Philadelphia Street discovered that the driver of the other vehicle had sustained life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the runaway car fled on foot from the scene of the accident. He was located by officers and taken into custody.
The suspect, identified as Eli Richard Lopez (22) of Pomona, was later determined to be driving a stolen 1990 maroon Honda Accord.
Unfortunately, the driver of the second vehicle was pronounced deceased. Updated information of this ongoing investigation, provided by Pomona Police Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team, has stated that the victim is a 26-year-old male.
Suspect Lopez was arrested, and the updated crimes now include:
187(A) P.C.. -Murder
10851(A) V.C. Grand Theft Auto
20001(A) V.C. Hit & Run / Death or Injury
2800.2(A) V.C. Evade PO /Disregard Safety
Investigators from the Pomona Police Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team urge anyone with information about this fatal traffic collision to call the Pomona PD’s Traffic Services Bureau at (909) 802- 7741 or (909) 620-2048.
Furthermore, anyone with information that would aid in solving any crime is encouraged to contact Pomona PD 909-620-2048. Or, provide information anonymously via “Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222- TIPS(8477).
