A brief police pursuit in Pomona ended in a fatal collision Wednesday night, claiming the lives of a 26-year-old man and his 25-year-old pregnant girlfriend. Friends and family gathered Thursday at a makeshift memorial to mourn the young couple, who were just days away from welcoming their first child.
The victims, identified as Marc Trejo Saldivar and Jennifer Loera-Zarco, were pronounced dead at the scene. According to relatives, Loera-Zarco was expecting a baby boy with a due date of April 20.
Domestic Violence Call Leads to Pursuit
The events began shortly after 9:30 p.m. when Pomona Police Department officers responded to a reported domestic disturbance in the area of East 10th and South Elm Street.
While officers were on the scene speaking with an individual involved in the dispute, a second person arrived in a truck. Police identified the driver as 31-year-old Marshall Judson. Reports say that Judson intentionally drove his truck into a parked police patrol vehicle before driving away, start a chase with the police involved.
This lasted approximately two miles before Judson’s truck collided with a passenger car at the intersection of Garey Avenue and County Road. Saldivar was driving the struck vehicle, with Loera-Zarco in the passenger seat.
The sudden loss has devastated both families, who had recently gathered to celebrate Loera-Zarco’s 25th birthday and host her baby shower. The couple had been preparing for their future, recently renovating an Accessory Dwelling Unit at Saldivar’s parents’ home in Santa Ana where they intended to raise their son.
Saldivar’s father, Tony Trejo, told news outlets that his son held an MBA and was working two jobs to provide for his growing family.
“It’s heartbreaking that the little one didn’t get to take his first breath,” Trejo said, adding that they had not yet picked out a name for the baby.
Loera-Zarco, the youngest of four sisters, was remembered as a smart and deeply caring woman who was devoted to her family. Her sister Amber Torres described the aftermath as a “bad dream”.
“Not only two lives were lost last night, it was three,” Torres said. “The baby is a person and was its own being. He was almost here.”
Charges Pending for Suspect
The suspect, Marshall Judson, survived the crash and was taken into custody. Authorities have confirmed he is facing a lengthy list of severe charges in connection with the incident.
These include driving under the influence, vehicular manslaughter, assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, felony evasion, and driving without a valid license. Loera-Zarco’s sister, Andrea Solorio, told reporters that the family is hoping for the maximum possible penalty to bring justice to the couple and their unborn child.
The families are currently organizing an online fundraiser to help cover funeral expenses, with the goal of burying Saldivar, Loera-Zarco, and their baby side by side.
One Response
Death penalty should be swift.