Jose Ochoa, 34, of Los Angeles, died on October 9, 2023, when his Nissan Sentra was struck during a high-speed police chase that ended in a crash in South Gate at State Street and Southern Avenue. Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department were pursuing a stolen Range Rover that collided with Ochoa’s car. Ochoa, who was driving to his family’s house to watch football, was pronounced dead at the scene from blunt force trauma; a woman driving a Toyota 4Runner was also injured.

Authorities identified three suspects linked to the stolen Range Rover as Kaelenn Maea, 26, Salagi Iakopo, 30, and Matthew Salanoa, 23. Court documents allege the trio carried out a series of armed robberies in Downey, Compton, and South El Monte between September 22 and September 29, 2023, using a short-style rifle to control cashiers and customers while stealing cash registers and drawers. The chase that ended in the crash is described as the culmination of that crime spree, and the defendants face multiple federal counts related to the robberies.

A memorial was set up at the crash site as the community mourned. Does anyone have information about Jose Ochoa, his route that day, or the crash that could help clarify what happened?