Los Angeles - On Thursday, February, 22, 2001, at 8:25 p.m., a double fatal traffic collision occurred at De Soto Avenue north of Rinaldi Street in Chatsworth. Ildefonso Rodriguez, was driving a 94 Acura northbound De Soto Avenue, at a high rate of speed, when his car crossed into the southbound lanes and collided with a blue Chevy El Camino that was travelling southbound De Soto Avenue.

Mr. Rodriguez, age 26 of Norwalk, and his passenger Julian Cisneros, 23, of Van Nuys, were pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver and passenger of the El Camino, a 48-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman of Simi Valley, were transported to local hospitals. The driver received minor lacerations and contusions. The passenger was treated for a ruptured spleen, broken rib, and various lacerations and abrasions.

Detectives from Valley Traffic Division are conducting the investigation.

This Press Release was prepared by Officer Eduardo Funes, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.