Community Corner

Man Involved in Fatal 405 Freeway Crash Charged with Murder

A Playa Vista man was also involved in the incident, and has been released.

Yocio Jonathan Gomez, 23, has been charged with murder for his alleged involvement in a fatal Sunday collision on the 405 Freeway that killed two construction workers, the District Attorney’s office announced Wednesday. 

At approximately 3 a.m. on Sunday, Stephan Christopher Caserta, a Playa Vista resident, was slowing down for a construction site on the northbound 405 Freeway at the South Bay Curve when Gomez rear-ended him. The collision forced Caserta’s Lexus SUV to smash into the construction workers, killing two, Romano Lopez and Ricardo Zamora, and injuring a third. Gomez’s Ford Explorer flipped onto its roof.

Officials arrested both drivers on suspicion of driving under the influence. Gomez was charged with two counts of second degree murder and two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter. Prosecutors are asking bail to be set at $5 million. He faces a life sentence if convicted.

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Caserta was released on bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Aug. 10.

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