‘Colors,’ ‘Hill Street Blues’ Actor Silva Killed in Crash

Actor Trinidad Silva Jr., who appeared as a gang leader in the movie “Colors” and TV’s “Hill Street Blues,” was killed in a three-vehicle crash in Whittier, police said.

Silva’s pickup truck was one of two struck at the intersection of Santa Fe Springs Road and Slauson Avenue by a vehicle driven by an allegedly drunken driver, said Whittier police Sgt. Gene Horsfall.

Silva, 38, of Whittier was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision about 6:45 p.m. Sunday, said Dave Campbell of the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office. Silva’s wife and their 2-year-old son suffered minor injuries.

Silva is best remembered for his role in NBC-TV’s “Hill Street Blues” as the wise-cracking gang leader Jesus Martinez who taunted police Capt. Frank Furillo by calling him “Frankie boy.” He portrayed “Frog,” an older and more mellow gang leader in “Colors.”

Douglas Robert Owens, 35, of La Habra, was arrested and booked for investigation of felony drunk driving, felony hit and run and vehicular manslaughter, Horsfall said.

The driver of the other pickup truck was identified as Oscar Valenzuela, 30. Neither he nor his 3-year-old son Oscar were injured, officials said. His wife, Norma Valenzuela, who is pregnant, was treated for minor injuries and released.

A fourth passenger in the Silva vehicle was not injured.