Driver arrested in fatal crash in South Gate
Police have arrested the 18-year-old man who crashed a van into a bus stop outside Los Angeles, killing a 14-year-old and injuring four other teenagers, according to police.
News of the arrest of Eduardo Rojo came hours after family and friends gathered Tuesday at the South Gate crash site to mourn the death of Luis Salazar a day earlier.
The van driver was arrested Tuesday after South Gate police determined that he may have been using an inhalant when he lost control of his van the day before.
Rojo is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in Los Angeles County Superior Court. South Gate Police Sgt. Mario Saldivar said he was not sure what charge Rojo may face.
Investigators had previously said the van suffered a mechanical failure and that Rojo appeared remorseful during questioning.
At the crash site Tuesday, about 50 students from South Gate Middle School wrote messages on fliers that bore images of Luis holding a soccer ball and taped the handbills to a bus sign at Firestone Boulevard and Otis Street.
As teary-eyed students placed candles and flowers by the bus shelter, brother Jose Salazar, 20, recounted the moments before Luis’ death.
School had just let out about 3:30 p.m. Monday, and Luis was on his cellphone with his mother, asking if he could go to McDonald’s, across the street, with friends, Jose Salazar said.
His mother suddenly heard screeching and screaming over the phone, and the call ended. She called back immediately and a girl answered. The girl told Luis’ mother that he had been in an accident. Jose Salazar also called his brother and received the same grim news.
“I couldn’t believe it,” he said.
Four other teenagers were injured in the crash. On Tuesday, school officials said three had been released from the hospital, and one remained for observation. None of those students’ injuries appeared to be life-threatening, said Martin Galindo, District 6 superintendent for the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Police questioned the driver of the van, whom they identified as Eduardo Rojo, 18, of South Gate, and were searching for his passenger, who witnesses said leaped out of the van after the crash and ran up Otis Street.
At the bus stop vigil Tuesday, friends described Luis as outgoing, warm-hearted and well-liked by other students. Some teasingly called him a ladies man.
Jose Salazar said his brother loved playing Guitar Hero, which inspired him to learn to play the guitar. He had planned to play with his church band this Saturday.
Salazar said Luis “loved going to church.” The recently baptized Christian attended services at South Gate Church of Christ every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday, Salazar said.
Others said Luis was a jokester and often wore an infectious smile. He frequently skateboarded in the neighborhood and spoke of becoming a professional skateboarder, they said.
“I’m hurt that I’m not going to see his face again,” said Dalia Plasencia, an eighth-grader at South Gate Middle School.
Police have set up a fund to help pay for Luis’ funeral. Send checks to the South Gate Police Officer’s Assn., c/o Luis Salazar, South Gate Police Department, 8620 California Ave., South Gate, CA 90280. Questions can be directed to South Gate Police Det. Tony Mendez at (323) 816-3378.
Lin and Vives are Times staff writers.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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