Los Angeles, CA (December 12, 2025) – A tragic vehicle crash near the border of Panorama City and Arleta claimed the lives of 26-year-old U.S. Marine Adrian Carrillo and 25-year-old Heybi Herrera-Bautista when a mini van driven by 24-year-old Clemente Meza Guerrero ran a red light. Guerrero also died at the scene.
Incident Details: Los Angeles Police reported that the crash happened at the intersection of N. Woodman Avenue and Terra Bella Street around 9:30 p.m. on Friday. The crash occurred because Guerrero, the driver of a mini van, ran through a red light at the intersection and collided with a blue Ford Mustang and a Honda Civic. Authorities believe that Guerrero was fleeing from the scene of an unrelated collision nearby.
LAPD said that the Mustang occupants Carrillo and his girlfriend, Herrera-Bautista, were pronounced dead at the scene. Mini van driver, Guerrero, also died at the scene and a 35-year-old passenger in the van was in critical condition and taken to the hospital after being extricated from the wreckage.
Investigators also noted that the Honda Civic driver also fled from the scene and has not yet been located.
Investigation: The Los Angeles Police Department will continue investigating the circumstances leading up to this fatal crash at N. Woodman Avenue and Terra Bella Street.
Detectives are expected to closely examine physical evidence from the scene, including vehicle damage, debris patterns, traffic signal timing, and impact points, to reconstruct how the collision unfolded. Because investigators believe the mini van driver was fleeing from an unrelated collision, police will also work to identify where that prior incident occurred and whether it directly contributed to the crash.
Authorities will likely review nearby surveillance footage, traffic cameras, and witness statements to confirm vehicle speeds, right-of-way, and the sequence of events. Investigators will also focus on locating the Honda Civic driver who fled the scene, as their actions before and after the crash may be relevant to the overall timeline and potential liability.
Legal Considerations: Fatal crashes involving red-light violations and suspected flight from another collision raise serious legal issues under California law. Even though the at-fault driver died at the scene, civil liability may still exist through the driver’s estate or applicable insurance policies. If evidence confirms that the van driver ran a red light while fleeing another crash, that conduct could be considered negligent or reckless, strengthening potential wrongful death claims.
For the families of Adrian Carrillo and Heybi Herrera-Bautista, the loss is profound. A wrongful death claim may help surviving family members pursue compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, and the emotional loss of love, companionship, and future plans taken from them far too soon.
The critically injured passenger in the mini van may also have grounds for a personal injury claim to seek compensation for medical expenses, long-term care needs, lost income, and pain and suffering resulting from the crash.
These legal options cannot undo the tragedy, but they can provide a measure of accountability and financial stability during an incredibly difficult time.
My deepest condolences go out to all of the families affected by this heartbreaking incident.
Source: CBS News