Tag Archives: westminster

Westminster Crash and Shooting

Two men were found shot in an overturned car in Westminster.

The shootings took place near the intersection of Ash and Springdale Streets at 5 a.m. Police received reports of gunshots at around 5:10 a.m. Officials also received reports of a traffic accident in the same area. When police arrived to the scene, they found an overturned Audi coup. The driver and passenger were still in vehicle. They were both bleeding from gunshot wounds.

The two victims have not been identified. Both men were hospitalized. One victim sustained serious injuries and was in serious condition. The other victim is stable. These victims were driving home from a taco stand. The driver lost control when another driver opened fire on the Audi.  Police believed that after the shooting the Audi hit a parked car and the overturned.

Police have arrested a suspect. The suspect, Ryan Paul McAlister, was arrested around 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Police had uncovered evidence that led them to believe that McAlister was responsible for the shooting. McAlister was arrested after Police searched his home and vehicle. A handgun was found during the search. McAlister was booked in Orange County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder. He is currently being held on $1 million bail.

Detectives do not believe that the shooting was gang-related. It does appear that McAlister had a relationship with the victims. The motive of the shooting was not immediately known. Police believe that the shooting was an isolated incident and not a random act of violence.

The intersection of Ash and Springdale streets were closed for hours after. Westminster police are asking for any witnesses or information regarding the shooting.

If you are ever in a car accident, contact a Westminster car accident lawyer immediately. Please do not wait. If you chose to wait, you may make your recovery more difficult. Injuries sustained in a car accident can be quite serious. You should be focusing on your recovery and not worrying about negotiations. A car accident lawyer focuses on negotiations so that you can focus on your recovery. The Law Offices of Dara Khajavi is fully prepared to handle your case. Call us today for a free consultation.

 

2 Dead in Fatal Westminster Motorcycle Crash

Two people riding on a motorcycle collided into a truck Monday night in Westminster.

The accident took place on Edwards Street south of Industry Way. The two victims on the motorcycle were heading north. The motorcycle was a 2001 Ducati motorcycle. At around 9 p.m., an asphalt truck, attempting to turn left, collided into the motorcycle.  The traffic collision took place near the west side of Westminster Mall.

There was a male and a female on the motorcycle. Both riders were thrown from the motorcycle. One of the motorcycle riders was pronounced dead at the scene. The other motorcycle riders were taken to UCI Medical center in Orange with major injuries. The female pronounced dead at the scene. The male rider died a short time later at UCI Medical Center. He was in surgery at the time of his death. Names of the riders have not been released. The drive of the truck has not been identified either.

The driver of the truck remained at the scene and was not injured. Police have not determined who was at fault for the accident. Investigators are examining the possibility of speed contributing to the accident. Both directions of Edwards were closed as investigators were examining the scene.

Motorcycle accidents are often quite serious. Motorcyclists have little to protect themselves in an accident. It is quite common for motorcyclists to be ejected from their vehicle in the event of an accident. If you are ever seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, you should contact a Westminster motorcycle accident lawyer.

The Law Offices of Dara Khajavi is fully prepared to handle any case. Our expert legal team works with a special team of investigators, doctors, and experts. Don’t worry if money is an issue. There are absolutely no charges until your case is won. We take care of all the costs so you can focus on your recovery. Contact us today for a free consultation.

 

Former City Manager Killed in Crash in Laguna Beach

A former Westminster police chief and city manager, James Mitchell Waller, died in a bicycle accident on Friday.

The collision took place Friday morning. He was riding his bicycle along southbound Highway 133. A Toyota Corolla struck him and another bicyclist at around 8:50 a.m. Waller died at the scene of the accident. The other bicyclist was his friend, Kevin Beach. Beach is also a longtime city employee. Kevin Beach was taken to Mission Hospital. He is currently in serious but stable condition. Both victims are avid bicyclists. This particular stretch of road was one of their favorite routes.

The driver of the Toyota Corolla stayed at the scene of the accident. Currently, no arrests have been made. The exact cause of the accident is still not been determined. California Highway Patrol officers and Sheriff Deputies are investigating the incident.

Witnesses described a horrific scene. The windshield of the Corolla was completely shattered. The bikes were also destroyed and in pieces. One of the cyclists was seen lying facing the ground. He was not moving.

Waller leaves behind a wife and two children. While he was at the Westminster Police Department, he served as a captain, chief’s adjutant, SWAT commander, patrol operations lieutenant, and detective commander. He became chief in 2009. Waller took the Westminster city manager position in early 2011. He retired in July 2012. During his time as city manager, he reduced the city’s budget deficit. His supporters remember him fondly. Waller has done much for the city of Westminster.

A trauma team was sent to the Police Department to help the officers cope with the loss. Both victims were close to the Police Department. Waller influenced many. He will be remembered as a role model and strong leader.

These deaths are an unfortunate story to common among avid bicyclists. Bicyclists are highly susceptible to fatal accidents. In the case of a collision, bicyclists have little protection. If a car collides into a bicyclist, the bicyclist will probably be ejected forward. The bicyclist’s only protection is a helmet. Bicyclists can also easily sustain fatal injuries. If these two men were in a motor vehicle, the collision may have been less serious. A car’s external structure would absorb some of the force of the Toyota Corolla. Unfortunately, bicyclists are susceptible to fatal accidents.

 

If you are ever in a fatal accident, do not hesitate to contact a Westminster car accident lawyer.