The Pasadena Police Department’s Traffic Investigation Team is investigating a fatal traffic collision involving two vehicles that occurred this past Tuesday, Jan. 12, at approximately 12:15 a.m. A late model Kia Optima travelling westbound on Maple Street struck a 2005 Chevrolet Impala travelling northbound through the intersection of El Molino Avenue and Maple Street. The Kia was being driven by a 19-year-old male with a 20-year-old male passenger, both from Pasadena. The driver was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries. The passenger was not injured.
There were five Pasadena residents in the Chevrolet Impala, driven by a 42-year-old female with an 18-year-old female, front seat passenger. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. The three passengers in the rear seat of the Impala were transported to a local hospital for treatment. An 18-year-old male sustained minor injuries, while a 38-year-old male and 41-year-old female sustained critical injuries. Notification was made to the deceased victims’ families by police and coroners’ personnel. They were identified as Maria Escobedo, 42, and her daughter, Vanessa Escobedo, 18.
The investigation into the cause of the collision is ongoing. Anyone with information should call Lieutenant Pete Hettema of the Traffic Section at (626) 744-7159.