LONG BEACH, Calif.—A 20-year-old Carson man turned himself in to police and was arrested for allegedly causing a fatal crash while driving his SUV in circles at a Long Beach intersection, authorities said June 18.
The crash occurred at 10:57 p.m. Friday at Willow Street and Caspian Avenue, west of the Los Angeles River, according to the Long Beach Police Department. Police said 21-year-old Jacqueline Zamarripa of Long Beach was ejected from the front passenger seat of a pickup truck and killed.
She was riding in a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado westbound on Willow while a light-colored silver or tan SUV was being driven in circles in the intersection, police said.
The SUV struck the Chevrolet Silverado, causing the Silverado to lose control and collide with a tree in the center median, police said.
Long Beach Fire Department paramedics tried to save the woman’s life but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Speed and distracted driving were believed to be factors in the crash, police said.
The 20-year-old Carson man driving the Silverado remained on the scene and cooperated with the investigation, police said. The SUV driver fled the scene before officers arrived.
On Saturday, the suspect, identified as Saul Alfas, walked into the lobby of Long Beach Police Headquarters and surrendered. He was booked at Long Beach City jail on suspicion of felony vehicular manslaughter and felony hit-and-run causing injury or death.
Bail was set at $50,000. The case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration early this week.
Anyone who witnessed the accident or who has further information about the suspect was urged to contact LBPD Collision Investigation Detective Shawn Loughlin at 562-570-7355 or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.
