Erick Puente Obituary, Death – Authorities have released the identity of a man who lost his life following a police pursuit that ended in a crash on the Arroyo Seco (110) Parkway in Highland Park. County officials confirmed that the man was 36-year-old Erick Puente, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.
The incident began around 8:30 p.m. Monday, when officers with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) began pursuing a work van reportedly believed to be stolen. The pursuit started in the downtown Los Angeles area and continued for several minutes as the vehicle made its way toward the Arroyo Seco Parkway near Chinatown.
According to officials, the chase transitioned onto the northbound lanes of the freeway, where the situation took a tragic turn. As the van approached the Avenue 43 exit, the driver brought the vehicle to a stop and attempted to exit through the window. In the process of trying to cross the freeway’s center divider, the man was struck by vehicles traveling in the opposite direction.
Emergency responders arrived shortly after the incident was reported. Despite their efforts, Puente was pronounced deceased at the scene. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) was called to assist in managing the scene and investigating the circumstances surrounding the event.
CHP Officer Sergio Garcia told City News Service that the northbound and southbound lanes of the freeway were temporarily closed while investigators documented evidence and cleared the area. The closure lasted several hours before traffic was fully reopened later that night.
Authorities have stated that the official investigation remains ongoing, as both the CHP and LAPD work to review dashcam footage, radio communications, and other evidence to determine the full sequence of events leading up to the fatal collision.
The LAPD noted that pursuits involving suspected stolen vehicles are often challenging due to the unpredictable behavior of drivers attempting to evade law enforcement. In this case, the chase was initiated after officers received reports of a van that matched the description of a vehicle reported stolen earlier in the evening.
Law enforcement agencies across Los Angeles have continued to review pursuit protocols in an effort to balance public safety with the need to apprehend suspects safely. In situations like this one, officers often face split-second decisions that can have serious outcomes.
Traffic on the Arroyo Seco Parkway was heavily affected for several hours as investigators processed the scene. Commuters in the Highland Park and Pasadena areas were redirected to alternate routes while crews worked to reopen the freeway.
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner is conducting further evaluations to confirm the official cause of death, while the CHP continues to investigate the mechanics of the crash and the sequence of movements leading up to it.
Authorities have not released additional details about the ownership of the van or the nature of the initial theft report, pending the outcome of the investigation.
This incident marks yet another reminder of how quickly high-speed pursuits can escalate into dangerous situations for both suspects and the general public. Law enforcement officials urge drivers to comply with officers’ instructions and avoid engaging in risky attempts to flee, as such actions can end in tragedy.
As the investigation continues, officials plan to release more details once all findings are confirmed. Anyone who may have witnessed the pursuit or the events along the Arroyo Seco Parkway is encouraged to contact the California Highway Patrol or the Los Angeles Police Department to assist with the ongoing inquiry.
The freeway has since reopened, and normal traffic conditions have resumed in the Highland Park area.
