Overview
- Steven Ara Zapata, 27, was arraigned in Alhambra and entered pleas of not guilty to two counts of murder, two counts of fleeing a pursuing officer causing death, and one count of reckless driving causing injury.
- The collision occurred around 3 a.m. on Nov. 20 at Valley Boulevard and Edgewood Drive during a pursuit involving a reportedly stolen Hyundai SUV, according to the California Highway Patrol.
- CHP said the Hyundai was traveling northbound through the intersection when it struck Officer Alec Sanders’ westbound patrol vehicle; investigators have not clarified whether Sanders was in the chase or responding to it.
- Officer Alec Sanders, 28, died at Los Angeles General Medical Center, and passenger Gabriela Moreno, 42, was ejected from the Hyundai and died at the scene; a 52-year-old man in the SUV sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
- Prosecutors said Zapata could face 80 to 120 years to life if convicted as charged, with Judge Adam Y. Chang presiding over the case.