Gilberto Cazares Payan: Dad of 4 dies after car jumps curb, crashes into crowded taco stand
POMONA, CALIFORNIA: A car crashed into a crowded taco stand, killing one at the scene and injuring 12 others on Friday night, October 14, in Pomona, California. Three of the injured were in critical condition following the crash, which happened around 7.40 pm, according to police and fire officials.
The next day, the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office identified the deceased as Gilberto Cazares Payan, 52, a father of four. He was there to pick up dinner at the taco stand, said his goddaughter as per ABC. While ten other people were taken to the hospital, including three in critical condition, while two others were treated at the scene.
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According to Fox News, the taco stand was set up in the parking lot connecting a Cardenas Market grocery store and a Metro Wireless store along West Holt Avenue. A 26-year-old woman has been identified and is in custody. Pomona Police Department spokesperson Aly Mejia said, as quoted by KTLA, "Initially, the driver ran away from the scene and our officers began searching for her. Approximately an hour and 15 minutes later the suspect turned herself in.” She was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, and hit-and-run causing death or injury.
Witnesses told police that the woman, who was driving a black sedan, was traveling eastbound on Holt Avenue when she suddenly got into westbound lanes, jumped the curb and slammed into the crowded taco stand. Fox News reports that glass and taco-making supplies were also scattered along the sidewalk and across the corner of the parking lot. Tables were flipped and a pop-up outdoor canopy was noticeably destroyed.
Aerial helicopter footage from NBC showed "the sedan crashed into what appeared to be a cooking stove on the sidewalk. Debris littered the scene." "Photos taken at the scene showed one person with a bandage wrapped around his head and several emergency responders and other people in the area," stated Fox News.
It is unknown if the woman was drunk, how fast she was driving, or the circumstances of the crash. The cause of the crash is under investigation.