TWO PEOPLE – of them a former CHP officer – are facing murder charges in connection with a traffic accident last July in which four people – including a Westminster resident and a Huntington Beach resident – were killed (Shutterstock).

By David Arthur
Orange County Tribune

A one-time California Highway Patrol officer faces the possibility of life in prison after a fatal crash that took the life of four people, including a resident of Huntington Beach and a resident of Westminster.

According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office, Angelo Rodriguez, 24, faces four counts of murder in the death of Juliana Hamori, 23, of Huntington Beach and Samantha Skocilic, 22, of Westminster as well as Armand Del Campo, 24, of San Pedro and Jordan Partridge, 23, of Los Angeles.

Another suspect, Iris Salmeron, 27, drove her vehicle into the one struck by Rodriguez. Both were driving at over 100 miles an hour, according to the DA.

Rodriguez was a CHP officer on July 20, 2025 at about 12:50 a.m. when he was driving in a Patrol vehicle on the southbound San Gabriel River (605) Freeway at over 130 miles an hour “without justification and without turning on his emergency lights or siren.” Moments later his vehicle struck a car carrying four people that had just entered the car pool lane, it is alleged.

The disabled vehicle was then struck by a vehicle driven by Salmeron at a speed of over 100 miles an hour, causing a fiery explosion, says the DA’s office. Her blood alcohol was estimated to over the legal limit. She and a passenger were injured in the crash.

In the course of the investigation, it was determined that Rodriguez waited for three minutes after the initial crash to report the collision without mentioning his involvement.

He allegedly failed to render aid or initiate a traffic break, claims the district attorney’s office. He then continued north on the freeway.

Bail for both was set at $8 million. He will face four counts of murder and she was face four counts of murder plus one felony count of driving under the influence and causing injury. Both could receive life sentences in state prison.

“This horrific tragedy could have been avoided if a motorist accused of drunk driving hadn’t gotten behind the wheel and driven over 110 miles and an on-duty CHP officer hadn’t driven over 130 miles an hour and neglected his duty,” said L.A. County District Attorney Nathan J. Hoffman.