News Summary
Sheriff’s Deputy Marcos Pena Jr., 31, was killed in a traffic accident on the 101 Freeway early Tuesday morning. The crash involved a white box truck and has left the community mourning the loss of a dedicated officer. Deputy Pena Jr. had been with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department since 2022 and is survived by his family, including his mother and four stepsiblings. The cause of the incident is under investigation as authorities seek more information.
North Hollywood – Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Marcos Pena Jr., age 31, was tragically killed in a traffic collision on the 101 Freeway early Tuesday morning. The accident, which also claimed the life of a female companion, occurred around 2:20 a.m. as both victims were apparently outside of their vehicle.
According to preliminary reports from the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Deputy Pena Jr. was driving a black Kia compact SUV that had stopped in traffic lanes for reasons yet to be determined. Shortly after both individuals exited the vehicle, a White’s International box truck collided with the SUV. Investigators are looking into whether the truck struck both victims directly or if the collision with the SUV propelled it into them. The victims were pronounced dead at the scene by personnel from the Los Angeles Fire Department, and there were no signs of them re-entering the vehicle prior to the accident, as noted by officer Luis Quintero.
The incident caused significant disruption in traffic, resulting in a Sigalert for the closure of all northbound lanes of the 101 Freeway at the Tujunga exit. The lanes were reopened approximately five hours later, around 7:30 a.m., following the completion of the investigation.
Deputy Marcos Pena Jr. had been a member of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department since July 14, 2022, serving at Men’s Central Jail at the time of his death. He is survived by his mother, Michelle Rubio, and his stepfather, Deputy Albert Rubio, who is employed in court services. Additionally, Deputy Pena Jr. leaves behind four stepsiblings: Diserre Rubio, Ashley Rubio, Albert Rubio, and Deja Rubio.
The CHP has urged anyone with information about the collision to contact Officer Cody Sturges at the West Valley station. As the investigation continues, the department is focused on gathering more details surrounding the circumstances of the crash.
Sheriff Robert G. Luna expressed profound sorrow over the loss of Deputy Pena Jr., emphasizing the tragic and unexpected nature of the incident. The community is left mourning the loss of a dedicated law enforcement officer whose life was cut short in such a sudden manner.
This accident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that can occur on the road and the unpredictability of life. As authorities analyze the details surrounding this unfortunate incident, the family and friends of Deputy Pena Jr. and his companion are left to remember their loved ones during this difficult time.
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Additional Resources
- NBC Los Angeles
- Wikipedia: Traffic Collision
- Los Angeles Times
- Google Search: Freeway Crash News
- CBS News Los Angeles
- Google Scholar: Traffic Collisions Studies
- ABC7 News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Road Safety
- Sacramento Bee
- Google News: Law Enforcement Accidents
