Former CHP Officer, Second Driver Face Murder Charges in Deadly 605 Freeway Crash

Angelo Rodriguez, a former California Highway Patrol officer, and Iris Salmeron of Bellflower were each charged with four counts of murder on March 16, 2026, in connection with a chain-reaction crash on the southbound 605 Freeway in Norwalk that killed four people returning home from a concert in the early hours of July 20, 2025.

Rodriguez, born May 10, 2001, was on duty when prosecutors allege he drove his patrol car at more than 130 mph without activating emergency lights or sirens and with no justification for the speed. At approximately 12:50 a.m., his vehicle struck the rear of a Nissan carrying Julie Hamori, 23, Armand Del Campo, 24, Jordan Partridge, and Samantha Skocilik, who had just entered the HOV lane. Investigators say the initial impact did not cause severe injuries. What happened next did.

Minutes later, Salmeron, born November 16, 1998, allegedly struck the already-damaged Nissan at speeds exceeding 100 mph. The collision caused the Nissan to catch fire and explode. All four occupants died at the scene. Several of the victims had managed to contact their families after the first crash, according to attorney Darren Aitken, who represents the families in a civil lawsuit against the CHP.

Salmeron faces four murder counts plus one felony count each of driving under the influence causing injury and driving with a .08 blood alcohol content or higher causing injury. Prosecutors say she had been drinking at a restaurant and a friend's house earlier that evening and sent a text message that night stating she intended to get "f ed up," according to Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman.

Rodriguez's conduct after the first crash drew equally pointed scrutiny from prosecutors. Rather than rendering aid or managing the scene, he allegedly moved his patrol car to the roadside, switched off his lights, and left. He later reportedly told officials that a CHP vehicle had been involved in a collision but did not disclose that he had been the driver. Rodriguez was subsequently fired from the CHP. The DA's office noted he had extensive training in safe driving and collision response and had previously been involved in two prior on-duty traffic collisions.

"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 per hour and an on-duty CHP officer hadn't driven over 130 miles per hour and neglected his duty," Hochman said. "These two defendants are now inextricably linked because they consciously chose to disregard human life over responsibility, leaving four families grieving and irreparably changing the lives of everyone affected by one night of unimaginable trauma."

Rodriguez was charged under case number 26BFCF00140. Both defendants were scheduled to be arraigned in Department 5 of the Bellflower Courthouse. Defense attorneys for either defendant had not been identified at the time charges were announced, and the CHP had not publicly responded to questions about the case.