Two killed while changing a tire on 605 Freeway are identified
Authorities have released the names of two men who died Saturday after being struck by an out-of-control car while changing a tire on the shoulder of a freeway in Irwindale.
Pedro Pedroza, 43, of Azusa, died at the scene of the accident, which happened at about 11 a.m. on the southbound 605 Freeway, south of Arrow Highway, said Lt. Cheryl MacWillie of the Los Angeles County coroner’s office. His companion, Ricardo Beltran, 49, of West Covina, was airlifted to County-USC Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The two men, identified as co-workers, were trying to change a flat tire when a driver lost control of his Ford Taurus while trying to avoid a car that suddenly changed lanes in front of him, said California High Patrol Officer Ed Jacobs.
The driver of the Taurus was going about 70 miles per hour, faster than the 65-mph limit, but speed was not necessarily a factor in the crash, which remains under investigation, Jacobs said.
The Taurus also struck another car. No one else was seriously injured.
-- Howard Blume
EDITOR'S PICKS:
NEVER change tires on a freeway!!! This happens all too often.
Posted by: Tom | November 28, 2010 at 02:30 PM
That's awful. My condolences to both families.
Posted by: julie | November 28, 2010 at 02:39 PM
i had to change a tire, on the curve of the 10 w going into the 101 n. no cell phones back in 69. very unpleasant.
Posted by: kuruc | November 28, 2010 at 03:46 PM
You have to ask yourself what is the alternative and triple A comes to mind. Staying in your car waiting for them is also a risk. What idiot can slam into you as well? Another horrific reason why California needs wide shoulders with double yellow lines.
Posted by: bettye198 | November 28, 2010 at 03:49 PM
Changing your tires on the shoulder of the freeway is always dangerous. The cars come very close to you and the wind crushing by you is just as dangerous. Nothing can stop a run away and out of control car. My condolences to both families. May both men rest in peace.
Posted by: Bob Valenzuela | November 28, 2010 at 05:00 PM
Truly sad. It doesnt matter if they were illegal or not "pop weasel" , they were human beings. I pray that God rests their souls and comfort and console their loved ones. Amen.
Posted by: Avril | November 28, 2010 at 05:40 PM
dear pop weasel. your last name says it all. isn'tthere a KKK mtg your late to? Not all humans with hispanic last names are illegal and to be honest. I would gladly trade an illegal from anywhere rather than have you in america.
Posted by: gary | November 28, 2010 at 05:51 PM
I'm sorry people. A tire or rim is not worth risking your life.... Drive it off at the next exit! I see people all the time in dangerous locations trying to change a tire. Just think! DRIVE IT OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT!!!!
Posted by: Timmy | November 28, 2010 at 06:00 PM
Speed WAS necessarily a factor in the crash, both the vehicle going 70 and the vehicle going faster than 70 in order to cut in front.
Why would highway patrol make such an irresponsible statement like that?
Posted by: innercity | November 28, 2010 at 06:08 PM
R.I.P to both co-workers very sad
wow what a weasel does it matter if they were illegals they are human beings we all are.
Posted by: Liz | November 28, 2010 at 06:50 PM
Tom is SOOOO right. If you can slowly drive to the shoulder with your flashers blinking you'll make it home safely. Changing a tire on a freeway has a higher kill rate than California Death Row!
Posted by: Frankincarson | November 28, 2010 at 07:05 PM
Very tragic accident and it's unfortunate these young men lost their lives and my prayers go out the victims and the driver , who must be devasted and very distraught.
It's sad that people like Julie ( who posted very insensitive at racially offensive comments) have absolutely no compassion for vitims , but use any oppourtunity to spew hatered and make sickening comments. My heart goes out the families of all those involved,
Posted by: Bernard Rothbergh | November 28, 2010 at 07:38 PM
Why would an illegal immigrant be necessarily on some kind of public assistance? That kind of assumption just turns people off to the anti-immigrant sentiment.
Posted by: ardy | November 28, 2010 at 08:02 PM
As for such a comment pop weasel i dont think you have payed enough into the system to be called a loyal tax payer. just be lucky that you or one of your family members were not on the side of the road under those conditions , know matter who they were god has there backs.
Posted by: TITO ORTIZ | November 28, 2010 at 08:59 PM
Illegal immigrants? What does that have to do with anything? Drinking beer and eating tacos? Your comment shows what an ignorant person you are. RIP to the 2 men who lost their lives.
Posted by: Bobby | November 28, 2010 at 11:06 PM
@pop weasel: you are the lousy, idiotic moron. My prayers are with both of the victims families.
Posted by: yvonne | November 29, 2010 at 12:18 AM
Sad to know another lives were lost just by changing the tire of their car. I just hope people would be more careful, taking necessary precautions during this kind of situation. But also, drivers should be more careful because you'll never know what's along the way, over speeding might also be the possible cause of this incident.
Posted by: reddc | November 29, 2010 at 05:03 AM
Heartbreaking. I thought of my dad helping a stranger change a tire.. I thought of the poor children, wife, family that lost these men. I'm really fighting the tears right now..
Posted by: Jess | November 29, 2010 at 06:51 AM
It turns out that these men were local gardeners in my neighborhood. The son got a flat tire when the father and his coworker went to help the son. Another hardworking Mexican trying to provide for their family lost in a tragic accident. God bless their souls. May their family find peace.
and remember... not all mexicans are bad. Some are acctually here to live a better life.
Posted by: Fat Lucy | November 30, 2010 at 01:42 AM