Outside Probe Sought in Fatal Police Car Crash

Returning to the intersection where three of their children died in a collision with a police car racing to the aid of other officers, a San Pedro family Monday blamed police for the accident and called on the LAPD to turn over the investigation to an outside agency.

“We think that it is impossible, with all the best intentions, that the Police Department will be able to conduct an objective and impartial investigation of their own officers,” said James E. Blancarte, an attorney representing the Pacheco family.

According to Blancarte, several eyewitnesses have disputed the Police Department’s claim that the patrol car had its red lights flashing and siren blaring before the March 27 accident. Witnesses also reported that the police vehicle sped through the intersection against the light, Blancarte said.

Fernando and Imelda Pacheco and their only surviving son, Fernando Evon, 11, stood by silently as Blancarte said he had sent a letter to Police Chief Willie L. Williams asking for an independent inquiry. Off to the side were flowers and other tributes to the three dead brothers, including a sign that read “Tres Angeles,” left by residents of the harbor community.

In his letter to Williams, Blancarte said several witnesses have provided accounts “indicating the LAPD officers involved in the accident were at fault.” He expressed concern that the witnesses, whom he declined to identify, were not tape-recorded or asked to sign statements, “and they were not asked to be witnesses” by investigating officers.

“It is my concern . . . that important eyewitness testimony and evidence are not being documented,” Blancarte wrote.

Prudencio Pacheco, 15, and his brothers, Ricardo, 4, and Javier, 9, were thrown from the back of a truck in the collision with the police car at Pacific Avenue and 13th Street.

All three died instantly. The surviving brother, Fernando Evon, and a cousin, Edgar Martinez, 9, also were in the back of the pickup and were injured.

None were wearing seat belts, authorities said.

Police have said the patrol car’s siren was blaring and its red lights were flashing, but some witnesses have said that the emergency signals came on only moments before the accident.

According to Blancarte, witnesses say the police car was traveling about 80 to 90 m.p.h., but police spokesman Cmdr. Tim McBride said the vehicle’s speed was in the 40 m.p.h. range.

Police have yet to say whether the patrol car ran a red light, although the law permits emergency vehicles to go through red lights if their emergency signals are on.

McBride said the department expects to complete its investigation in a few weeks.

Blancarte, a former city fire commissioner, suggested that the investigation be turned over to the state attorney general’s office, the California Highway Patrol or the Sheriff’s Department. Police said the request for an outside investigation was premature.