Los Angeles, Ca
Southern California woman killed by rock smashing through windshield on highway identified
A woman who was killed by a rock that was thrown at her windshield on a Southern California highway was identified as the search for a suspect continues.
On Oct. 8, Sarina Rodriguez, 25, and her boyfriend were on their way home to Lancaster. They were driving on Highway 138, just east of Highway 18 in the Antelope Valley area at around 12:10 a.m.
Franko Martinez recalls the frantic moment he heard a popping sound and noticed Sarina, who was driving at the time, suddenly fall unconscious.
Thinking quickly, he immediately grabbed the steering wheel to stop the car. He then spotted a hole in their windshield.
Somewhere along the highway, a suspect had launched a rock toward their windshield which smashed through the glass, instantly killing Sarina.
After pulling over, Martinez called the authorities and, despite searching the area, no suspects were found.
At the moment the rock was launched, Martinez noted there was another vehicle passing them by in the opposite direction.
“Before we got to the bend, a vehicle with headlights came and then [I heard] a pop noise,” he told KTLA’s Shelby Nelson.
It remains unclear where the rock was initially thrown from — whether it came from a passing vehicle or from someone on the side of the road.
Just two days earlier on Oct. 6, another driver also reported being struck by a rock that smashed through their windshield, injuring two people. The incident happened in the same area and late at night at around 11:30 p.m.
On Thursday, Oct. 10, the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station told KTLA that a suspect, Alexander Veloz, was arrested for allegedly throwing rocks at traffic on the same morning Sarina was killed.
However, investigators note it’s unclear whether he is related to either Sarina’s case or the Oct. 6 incident. He was also arrested near Avenue F and Sierra Highway which was located over 40 miles from where Sarina was targeted.
The woman’s family remains heartbroken as they remember a loving daughter and sister who brightened their days with her lively spirit.
“She was just so happy,” said Sylvia Perez, Sarina’s sister. “My sister was full of life.”
“She was a lot of joy,” said Danny Rodriguez, Sarina’s father.
Her friends and family are left with many unanswered questions. Most importantly, they’re hoping the suspect who is responsible for her death will be caught soon.
“I just want to see justice,” said Danny.
“She is something that we can never get back,” said George Rodriguez, Sarina’s brother. “I really hope they find this [suspect].”
Her family plans to honor her memory by placing a large wooden cross near the spot where she lost her life.
“Please inform the authorities of any suspicious activity in the area because it’s time to catch this person,” a loved one said.
“Given these recurring incidents, the California Highway Patrol Southern Division Major Crimes Unit and the CHP Antelope Valley Area are actively investigating these incidents and are seeking assistance from the community,” detectives said.
Anyone with information on the case is urged to call the California Highway Patrol at 323-259-3200.
Los Angeles, Ca
Protests mark 1-year anniversary of federal agents storming L.A.’s Fashion District
Events and protests were held in downtown Los Angeles Saturday on the one-year anniversary of one of the largest immigration enforcement actions in California.
One June 6, 2025, federal agents stormed the L.A. Fashion District, arresting and detaining dozens of workers.
The enforcement action served as a catalyst, igniting a wave of subsequent raids across Southern California. In response, city leaders affirmed their “unwavering commitment to the immigrant communities” in Los Angeles, as events were held throughout the city to remember those who were deported and those whose immigration cases remain unresolved.
Protesters advocating for immigrant communities gathered outside a federal detention center in downtown Saturday, waving flags and signs. One woman was arrested during a clash with police.
The initial raid in the L.A. Garment District swept up workers, including the father of one woman who described the experience as “one of the most traumatic experiences” of their lives. This operation was among the first deportation actions that resulted in families being separated and triggered days of civil unrest.
At a commemoration event, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass and the Executive Director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of L.A. stood together, vowing to protect immigrant communities living in fear.
“We all felt attacked, and I think what’s so critical today, is to know and remember and acknowledge that this is still going on every day,” Bass said.
While the Department of Homeland Security maintains that its enforcement operations target criminals, families of those detained argue that immigration enforcement terrorizes hardworking people. These families contend that many immigrants pay taxes and contribute to society, even if they are not U.S. citizens.
Immigration attorneys report that thousands of individuals are still trying to locate their loved ones. They also highlighted that hundreds of people swept up in immigration raids last year remain detained in facilities, facing medical neglect, inhumane conditions and the denial of basic due process protections.
Watch the full report from KTLA’s Sara Welch in the video at the top of this story.
All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KTLA. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat information into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KTLA staff before being published.
Los Angeles, Ca
Pasadena motorist knocked unconscious in unprovoked assault after other driver flashes high beams at him
A motorist was rendered unconscious after what authorities are calling an unprovoked attack that occurred after another driver flashed their high beams at him, authorities say.
According to the Pasadena Police Department, the victim, a 63-year-old man, was driving northbound on Raymond Avenue near Washington Boulevard when a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction flashed him around 1 a.m. Saturday.
“The victim reported that he was driving northbound on Raymond Avenue from Washington Boulevard when he observed a vehicle traveling southbound flashing its high beams at him,” a Pasadena Police Department spokesperson confirmed to KTLA. “The victim stated he stopped his vehicle and exited. He was then assaulted by an unknown suspect. The assault was unprovoked.”
The attack left the man unconscious and with a three-inch deep laceration to his head, police added. Upon regaining consciousness, the man transported himself to Huntington Hospital, and it was around 1:20 a.m. when police responded there to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon and began their investigation.
Upon arriving at the hospital, the victim told police that, due to his injuries, he was not able to provide a description of a suspect, vehicle or the weapon used, nor was he able to tell police the exact location where the assault occurred, although it was confirmed to be somewhere near Raymond Avenue and Washington Boulevard. La Pintoresca Park is located near that intersection.
No further details were immediately available.
Anyone with any information on the incident is asked to contact the Pasadena Police Department right away.
Sofia Pop Perez contributed to this report.
Los Angeles, Ca
Woman killed by driver while crossing PCH in Long Beach
A woman was struck and killed by a driver while crossing the street on Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach.
On June 3, the female pedestrian was using the crosswalk at Pacific Coast Highway and Pacific Avenue around 4:50 a.m.
She had walked against a red light and was hit by a 19-year-old driver in a Chevy sedan, Long Beach police said.
Despite lifesaving efforts, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation.
“At this time, impaired driving, distracted driving and excessive speed are not believed to be a factor in this collision,” police said.
The woman’s name is being withheld pending identification by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information on the incident is asked to call Detective Joseph Johnson at 562-570-7355.
Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.
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