Three Passengers Killed in Traffic Collision

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE
Monday, August 7, 2000

"Three Passengers Killed in Traffic Collision"

Los Angeles – On August 6, 2000, at approximately 11:10 p.m., a traffic collision occurred on Lincoln Boulevard just south of Loyola Avenue. A 1988 Toyota Tercel, driven by Walter Mazariegos, a 20 year-old resident of Inglewood, was travelling southbound on Lincoln Boulevard, with four adult male passengers.

According to an eyewitness, Mazariegos was traveling between 60-70 mph when he lost control of his vehicle and drove onto the center divider. His vehicle struck a large tree causing two of the passengers in the rear seat to be ejected onto the northbound lanes of Lincoln Boulevard. The vehicle then spun around the tree and came to rest in the northbound lanes. A third passenger in the front seat, Roberto Bonilla, male Hispanic,

19 years of age and a passenger in the rear seat expired at the scene.

Of the two passengers ejected, one expired at the scene and the other passenger was transported to an area hospital and is in critical condition. The names of the passengers are not being released pending notification of their next of kin.

The driver, Mazariegos, displayed objective symptoms of driving under the influence. He was subsequently arrested and booked for Felony Vehicular Manslaughter while Intoxicated.

Detective Michael Fischer of the West Traffic Detective section is conducting the investigation. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Detective Michael Fischer at 310-473-0234

This press release was prepared by Officer Trevion Stokes, Media Relations Section.

For Release 11:30 am PDT
August 7, 2000