Catering Truck Involved in Fatal Traffic Collision NR12133kr

March 21, 2012

Los Angeles:  A vehicle and a food-truck collided on a city street Tuesday afternoon, killing one and injuring two others.

On March, 20, 2012, around 2:55 p.m., a 61-year-old Los Angeles man was driving his 1991 Mercedes Benz, 300CE westbound on Washington Boulevard, turning left to southbound Union Avenue.  He was hit by a 1984 GMC Catering Truck driven by 55-year-old Elba Escobar of Los Angeles, who was traveling eastbound on Washington Boulevard.  The impact caused the catering truck to over-turn, trapping Escobar.

Escobar was transported to a local hospital by Los Angeles Fire Department Personnel where she died a short time later.  A passenger in the catering truck, a 38-year-old female from Los Angeles was transported to a local hospital in stable condition with minor to moderate injuries.  The driver of the Mercedes was hospitalized with a non-life threatening head injury.

The exact cause of the collision has not been determined, but one of the drivers may have failed to stop for a red light.  Drugs or alcohol do not appear to be a factor in the collision, but the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Central Traffic Detectives, Detective Josephine Mapson or Detective Felix Padilla at 213-972-1840.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247).  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.