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Juliana Casidy Hamori

Age : 23

Gender : Female

Race : White

Date : 07/20/2025

Location : Southbound Interstate 605 near Imperial Highway

City : Norwalk

County : Los Angeles

State : California

Agency : California Highway Patrol

Officer(s) :Former Officer Angelo Rodriguez

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Passenger killed after police vehicle crash

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 07/20/2025, 23-year-old Juliana Casidy Hamori was killed after a California Highway Patrol vehicle crashed into the Nissan she was driving on southbound Interstate 605, leaving the vehicle disabled in the HOV lane where it was struck minutes later by another vehicle.
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At approximately 12:50 a.m., former CHP Officer Angelo Rodriguez was driving a CHP patrol vehicle southbound on Interstate 605 at more than 130 mph. According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, Rodriguez was not responding to a call and was driving without emergency lights or siren when he struck the rear of Hamori's Nissan as it entered the HOV lane.
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Prosecutors allege the initial collision did not seriously injure the occupants. Rodriguez moved his damaged patrol vehicle to the shoulder but did not adequately secure the disabled Nissan or warn approaching motorists. Prosecutors allege he waited approximately three minutes before reporting the collision to CHP dispatch and did not initially disclose that he had caused the crash.
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The Nissan remained disabled in the HOV lane. Minutes later, a vehicle driven by Iris Salmeron, traveling at more than 100 mph, struck the Nissan and caused it to burst into flames. Hamori and the three other occupants died at the scene. Prosecutors allege Salmeron was driving under the influence of alcohol.
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Hamori's family subsequently filed a wrongful-death action against CHP, the State of California, Rodriguez and Salmeron. On 08/24/2026, the court granted Salmeron's motion to stay discovery pending completion of the criminal proceedings against Rodriguez and Salmeron.
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Rodriguez was charged with four counts of murder. Salmeron was charged with four counts of murder and additional DUI-related felonies. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty.
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OFFICER BACKGROUND:
Former CHP Officer Angelo Rodriguez was employed by the California Highway Patrol beginning in 2023 and was fired following the crash. Prosecutors allege he had previously been involved in two on-duty traffic collisions. He is charged with four counts of murder in connection with the July 20, 2025 deaths.
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SOURCE LINKS :

https://da.lacounty.gov/sites/default/files/press/031626-26BFCF00140-NR.pdf
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-03-16/los-angeles-california-highway-patrol-officer-murder-charge
https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/california-highway-patrol-officer-civilian-charged-murderlos-angeles-area-crash/
https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/losangeles/news/norwalk-605-freeway-fiery-crash-chp-officer-dui-driver-murder-charges/
https://www.decisiondepot.legal/cases/258405