Murder Charges to Be Sought in Traffic Death
Police are seeking murder charges against a Los Angeles man who was allegedly intoxicated when he drove his car into oncoming traffic in Sun Valley, striking another car and killing its driver, authorities said.
Luis Talamantes, 23, was driving west on Sunland Boulevard at 4:15 a.m. Tuesday when his car drifted across the center line, Los Angeles Police Officer Frank Zdroy said. His car broadsided one driven by Todd Makowsky, 24, of Oceanside, who was turning right onto Sunland Boulevard from a driveway.
The impact sent Makowsky’s car into a tree. He suffered massive internal injuries, Zdroy said, and died during surgery at Holy Cross Medical Center.
A passenger in Makowsky’s car, Dave Miller of Red Bluff, was slightly injured, Zdroy said.
Witnesses told police that Talamantes had been speeding and ran a red light at San Fernando Road, Zdroy said. Police said Talamantes smelled of alcohol and could not complete a field sobriety test.
He is being held without bail at Van Nuys Jail.
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