LOS ANGELES, Calif. (May 22, 2023) – Elmer Santos, 31, of Los Angeles, was arrested on murder charges following a hit-and-run crash on Normandie Avenue that left two young people dead.
Kevin Castillo, 20, of Pomona, and Maria Belen Polanco, 20, of Los Angeles, both died in the two-vehicle crash at Normandie Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
Elmer Santos was reportedly driving a white Jeep Wrangler Rubicon at high speed. Witnesses told authorities he crashed into a white BMW as it exited a drive-thru restaurant near the intersection. The two-vehicle crash occurred around 12:38 a.m. on May 21st, according to the Los Angeles Police Department’s Media Relations Division.
The man and woman traveling in the BMW both suffered major injuries and died at the scene, police said.
Witnesses followed the suspect and called 911. Eventually, police arrested Elmer Santos at his home shortly after the alleged hit-and-run crash. Authorities say he was allegedly speeding when he crashed into the victims’ car and then fled the scene on foot. He faces murder charges and is being held in lieu of $2 million bail.
Los Angeles County Fire sent paramedics to the crash scene around 12:38 a.m. on Sunday, May 21st in front of 3998 S. Normandie Avenue. They pronounced two people dead at the scene.
The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department.
Johnson Attorneys Group does not represent any of the parties mentioned above. Furthermore, Johnson Attorneys Group has no intention to represent any of the parties discussed. We hope this news information is timely and helpful. However, if you would like to contribute any information, add a GoFundMe page or have legal questions, please contact us as soon as possible. Our law firm is a proud, longtime supporter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
Source: LAPD, LAT
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