Driver May Have Used PCP, Detective Says

The driver of a car accused of causing a five-vehicle accident Sunday that killed a pedestrian was possibly high on PCP and had a loaded shotgun in his trunk, a detective said Monday.

Ali Tamadon, 21, of Pacoima, was at County-USC Medical Center’s jail ward after being arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter. Police said his Cadillac had been traveling south on DeSoto Avenue when it hit a pickup truck and two other cars heading east on Lassen Street before striking Aroldo Fuentes, 31, of Chatsworth. Fuentes died at the scene, and a married couple in the pickup were seriously injured. The shotgun flew from the trunk of Tamadon’s car, police said.

Police said witnesses said Tamadon had been driving about 100 m.p.h. and ran a red light. Los Angeles Police Detective Ken Grik said Tamadon appeared to be under the influence of PCP and that he will not talk to investigators.