INCIDENT: FATAL TRAFFIC COLLISION
DATE/TIME: Friday, April 12, 2019 02:43 AM
LOCATION: La Verne Ave, west of Garey Ave
UNIT: Traffic Services Bureau
VICTIM: Unknown male (identification pending)
On Friday April 12th, 2019 at about 02:43 AM, Pomona Police responded to a call of a vehicle on fire on La Verne Ave, just west of Garey Ave. When officers arrived, the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The Los Angeles County Fire Department extinguished the flames, but unfortunately the driver was already deceased. The driver could not be identified at the scene. No one else was located inside the vehicle. The Los Angeles County Coroner will conduct follow-up. It is not known if drugs or alcohol was a factor in this collision.
Officers determined this was a solo vehicle traffic collision. A silver SUV was driving east on La Verne Ave at a high rate of speed when it partially drove up onto the sidewalk. The vehicle collided with a large wooden Edison pole. The force of the collision caused the vehicle to catch fire and broke the base of the Edison pole. This caused a power outage within the general area.
This collision occurred in front of the La Verne Science and Technology Charter School, which is part of the Pomona Unified School District. PUSD was contacted and school was cancelled to ensure student safety while Edison replaced the whole pole. This required an all day street closure.
This collision is being investigated by the Pomona Police Department's Major Accident Investigation Team. Anyone with information about this collision is encouraged to call the Pomona Police Department's Traffic Services Bureau at (909) 802-7741 or (909) 620-2048.
Anyone with information that would aid in solving any crime is encouraged to contact the Pomona Police Department at 909-802-7741. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477).
Prepared by: Traffic Services Bureau
Pomona Police Department
909-620-2155
