Categories: AccidentsSanta Ana

Updated: Rigoberto Gomez dies after crashing on freeway and running off

A 29-year-old man was found dead in a Santa Ana neighborhood Thursday afternoon after apparently crashing his truck into a freeway median, then getting out and running away, the California Highway Patrol said, according to the OC Register.

UPDATE: The dead man has been identified by the Orange County Coroner as Rigoberto Gomez, 29, of Santa Ana, according to the O.C. Register.

CHP spokesman Todd Kovaletz said witnesses saw the man driving recklessly in a 1992 Chevrolet 1500 pickup on southbound I-5 about 3:40 p.m. He lost control and hit a center-median wall before the truck came to rest in the right lane near Seventeenth Street.

A body was found on North Logan Street at about 5 pm. It was the driver.  Police say they found an open alcohol container in his truck.

Every death is unfortunate even under such circumstances.  We are all fortunate that no one else was killed while this unfortunate man was driving recklessly.

Art Pedroza Editor
Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.
Art Pedroza

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

View Comments

      • I like to read Santa Ana news and this site covers a lot of it. I can also do without the bias the (I'm not sure you can call them journalist) blogger expresses but you learn to ignore it after a while. Just my opinion.

    • Why did he run from the accident? And what about the alcohol in the car?

      We are fortunate this guy didn't hurt anyone else.

      • ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS FU*K EVERYONES STUPID OPINIONS . PAY BACK IS A BI*CH AND TRUST ME ALL YOU FU**KERS WILL GET IT EVEN WORSE SO SAVE ALL YOUR BU**LL S*IT TALKING ..AND CHOKE ON IT BI*CHES !!!

    • Really compassion? He chose to drink n drive! So would you have compassion if he had killed one of your family members as well. Don't be ignorant!

    • ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS FU*K EVERYONES STUPID OPINIONS . PAY BACK IS A BI*CH AND TRUST ME ALL YOU FU**KERS WILL GET IT EVEN WORSE SO SAVE ALL YOUR BU**LL S*IT TALKING ..AND CHOKE ON IT BI*CHES

      • Look around the web. In the year 2014, meaningful graphics are imperative to successfully connecting stories with readers. If you want to be taken seriously, don't be random and use professional looking graphics ... please start by replacing with that web 1.0 banner of yours : ) Sorry, I don't mean to troll you. I do appreciate your perspective on local current events.

  • Well the article was posted and can be seen on the news website. Which by default represents the news site as well. Every death is a sensitive subject to the deceased family members. I'm sure they could of done well without the opinion of the news site.

    • this man is a family member and I don't appreciate you trying to smear him or disregard our loss we all do stupid things, just like you did by posting your f*cking stupid opinion. I think God no one else was hurt , except for everyone of us that are dealing with the loss

  • What was insensitive or biased about this article? I dont get these responses.
    If the young man was known for more let somebody write about it.

  • Another one of those brown folks I've seen I line at 7-11 buying cheap beer. Mowing lawns must make them thirsty and stupid.

    • ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS FU*K EVERYONES S*UPID OPINIONS . PAY BACK IS A BI*CH AND TRUST ME ALL YOU FU**KERS WILL GET IT EVEN WORSE SO SAVE ALL YOUR BU**LL S*IT TALKING ..AND CHOKE ON IT BI*CH!

  • Why else do people in Santa Ana run? Duh! Guaranteed Hispanic, and no insurance! Most likely a non citizen. Definitely an IDIOT!

    • Actually he wasnt and idiot had insurance and was here legal dont know what he was thinking drinking and driving but he was a good person who always treated me with respect he most likely panicked and ran for helped he died hurt and alone so no matter what show some respect.

      • Thanks for the info. It is too bad that he chose to drink and drive but we don't know the details and as we pointed out it is fortunate that he didn't hurt anyone else.

      • I too knew Rigo very well. He was a nice guy. Very hard worker.

        See you in heaven my brotha
        Becerro

  • I know him he use to be one my friend as a child I know his family and I really feel sad about this news drunk or not just RIP friend we use to live in grace street

  • Interesting. I saw no proof or even solid evidence that this driver was actually dui. He may have been, however you are clearly not a journalist,
    so yes this man is dead, no you did not prove he was drunk, and yes you are a loser for getting all "church lady" over a man who is now dead. What...not enough punishment for you? Dont bother responding, church lady who wishes he was a journalist...I stumbled across this joke and Ill never read it again.

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