SUN VALLEY : Passengers, Driver Held in Fatal Freeway Crash
Two passengers in a car that was crushed by a truck on the Golden State Freeway in Sun Valley were arrested on suspicion of insurance fraud Friday because authorities suspect they were involved in a scheme to collect insurance money by causing the crash.
Rubidia Lopez, 28, and Isiais Aguilar-Martinez, 24, both of Los Angeles, were arrested in connection with the Wednesday crash, which left one dead, California Highway Patrol spokesman Richard Obregon said. Jorge Sanchez, 29, the driver, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of insurance fraud, he said.
Authorities suspect Sanchez, of Los Angeles, of causing a car carrier to jackknife and overturn onto his car to collect insurance money, Obregon said. Witnesses told investigators that Sanchez was slowing and driving erratically before the accident, he said.
CHP investigators will decide within two weeks whether to recommend to the district attorney’s office that Sanchez be charged with the murder of a passenger, Obregon said. Jose Perez, 29, of Sepulveda was killed in the accident, the coroner’s office said.
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