Crime & Safety

Two Charged With Murder in Deadly Area Crash

Jose Flavio Diaz and Angel Rojo face up to life in prison if convicted as charged.

Two men are set to be arraigned next month on a murder charge stemming from a high-speed car crash last week in West Covina that killed a cohort, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office reported today.

Jose Flavio Diaz of Montebello and Angel Rojo of Covina, both 24, are charged in the death last Saturday of Manuel Ernesto Rodriguez, along with one count of second-degree robbery.

Prosecutors allege that several men, including Diaz and Rojo, were partying at an apartment complex in West Covina just before robbing a woman and fleeing the scene.

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Diaz and Rojo allegedly left with Rodriguez, with Diaz driving at high speeds on city streets before crashing into a tree, according to prosecutors.

Diaz remained at the crash site and was arrested by police, while Rojo was taken into custody later that evening, according to prosecutors.

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The criminal complaint includes an allegation that Rojo was convicted last year of assault.

The two—who are set to appear at the Pomona courthouse for arraignment April 9 —face up to life in prison if convicted as charged, according to the District Attorney's Office.

—City News Service


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