A former California Highway Patrol officer and a suspected drunk driver face murder charges for a deadly multi-vehicle crash on the 605 Freeway that killed four young people last summer.
Crash Sequence
On July 20, 2025, around 1 a.m., ex-officer Angelo Rodriguez, 24, allegedly drove over 130 mph without lights or sirens, slamming into a car with four occupants and disabling it in the emergency lane. He reportedly waited three minutes, called dispatch without admitting fault, then fled the scene. Moments later, Iris Salmeron, 27, allegedly sped into the stranded vehicle at over 100 mph while intoxicated, causing a fiery explosion that killed Juliana Hamori (23), Armand Del Campo (24), Jordan Partridge (23), and Samantha Skocilic (22).
Charges and Aftermath
Both face four murder counts; Salmeron also has DUI-related felonies. Victims’ families note Partridge called his mother mid-wait, only for the line to cut during the second impact. A GoFundMe has raised nearly $41,000 for memorials. DA Nathan Hochman called it “unimaginable trauma” from reckless choices, with each held on $4M bail ahead of today’s arraignment—conviction could mean life sentences.
This tragedy highlights dangers of high-speed driving and fleeing responsibility on busy freeways.
