California Highway Patrol officer, suspect killed in shootout

A California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer was killed along with the suspect and two other officers were wounded during a shootout in southern California on Monday evening, police and news media reported.

A CHP dispatcher confirmed the shootout happened at about 5:30 p.m. (0030 GMT) in Riverside, California, about 86 kilometers east of Los Angeles just off US Interstate 215.

"One of our officers succumbed to the injuries sustained," a CHP representative said on Twitter late Monday.

The conditions of the two wounded officers were not disclosed. Police did not immediately release other details. 

Initial reports from local news media at the scene said that a CHP officer on a motorcycle made a routine traffic stop, and the suspect grabbed a rifle from the vehicle and started shooting.

The officer returned fire and called for backup from the CHP, Riverside Police and Riverside Sheriff's Office, the Riverside Press-Enterprise reported.

It was not clear if the officer making the stop was the officer killed.

Dozens of rounds were fired, according to local media, and motorists stopped in traffic fled their vehicles and ran for cover from the gun battle.

Local broadcast media showed images of CHP patrol cars and other vehicles with shot-out windows.

Several motorists were hit with flying glass shards from bullets hitting their car windows, officials said, and were treated by paramedics at the scene.

The gunman sustained gunshots and was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead, the newspaper reported.

Riverside Police officer Ryan Railsback told the newspaper that the motive behind the shooting was not yet known.

That will be part of a "very long" and "complex" investigation, Railsback said.

The name of the suspect was not immediately released.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Pinay dies in collision after marking 10th year in US

A 21-year old Filipina was killed by a suspected drunk driver Sunday night, after celebrating her 10th anniversary of immigrating to America with her family.

Reports say Sonoma State University student Paulette Quiba was killed in a head-on collision while on her way home to Rohnert Park.

The crash happened 45 minutes after Quiba said goodbye to her family at a Concord restaurant where they were celebrating.

California Highway Patrol officers arrested 35-year old Santa Rosa man Logologoa Taumaloto Tevaseu on suspicion of murder and two drunk driving charges.

Tevasue had a previous drunk driving conviction in 2012.

Three other people were hurt in the collision that killed Quibo. They were taken to a nearby hospital with minor and moderate injuries. 


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De La Hoya arrested for suspected DUI in California

Boxing Hall of Famer Oscar De La Hoya was arrested early Wednesday morning on suspicion of driving under the influence in Pasadena, Calif.

De La Hoya was stopped for speeding in his Land Rover on Del Mar Boulevard, at which point the investigating officer smelled an alcoholic odor in the car and administered "a series of field sobriety tests," according to ESPN.

The 43-year-old De La Hoya failed the tests and was arrested at 1:57 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.

A 1992 Olympic gold medal winner and 10-time professional world champion, De La Hoya is no stranger to substance abuse. He checked himself into rehab in 2011 after admitting he had issues with cocaine and alcohol and had been having suicidal thoughts. Two years later, De La Hoya also checked into a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center.

De La Hoya failed to show on Wednesday at a news conference in Los Angeles to promote Golden Boy's HBO fight card on Saturday night.

De La Hoya won titles at 130, 135, 140, 147, 154 and 160 pounds. He won bouts against Hall of Famers Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. (twice), Pernell Whitaker and Arturo Gatti. He also fought other greats, including Felix Trinidad, Hector Camacho Sr., Bernard Hopkins, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Shane Mosley (twice) and Manny Pacquiao.

De La Hoya went 39-6 with 30 knockouts in his career.

(Editing by Frank Pingue)

source: news.abs-cbn.com

New California driving laws make holding cell phones illegal

Using your cellular phone while driving is now illegal in the state of California.

Starting January 1st, 2017, it is now illegal for drivers to hold their cellphones or other electronic devices while driving in the state of California.

Regardless if you’re using your phone as a GPS or talking with the speaker to avoid putting it up to your ear can warrant a ticket.

The California Highway Patrol explains where a driver can safely place electronic devices in the car if you have to use it while driving.

“It can be mounted on the dashboard as long as it’s not blocking your view, at the same time, on the windshield. Like where your GPS would go, there’s a small part in lower right-hand corner or lower left-hand of our windshield but the main thing is that it shouldn’t obstruct your view and at the same time you’re going to be holding it with your hands,” said Officer Art Montiel.

Drivers may only use one finger to tap or swipe the screen.

The CHP said they have been keeping their eye out for drivers already violating the law.

“A lot of times when they’re texting and driving it’s very similar to when they’re under the influence. They can’t stay in the lane. They’re swerving in the lane. So that’s when we approach because they are focused on their phone and not on their surroundings…especially with a motorcycle officer those are actually easier for them to look at the driver without them knowing they are there,” he added.

Another new law directs the CHP to create motorcycle lane splitting “educational safety guidelines”. However, it makes it clear that lane splitting by motorcyclists between freeway lanes is still legal.

“Going back to common sense, don’t split lanes at 40, 50 miles per hour. Only do it when traffic is stopped or going really slow and I wouldn’t go any faster than 10 miles per hour or the speed of the other vehicles that are traveling,” Montiel said.

According to the CHP, fines depend on the counties you live in but the base fine is 20 dollars and 50 dollars for subsequent violations.

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source: news.abs-cbn.com