Road Crew Deaths Reminiscent of DB Death

Two road workers were being mourned today as news that two drivers, both suspected of being under the influence, collided into each other then plowed into a construction crew on the 405 Freeway in Torrance.

For Diamond Bar, which is so closely tied to freeways, the news is all too familiar. Nearly 20 years ago, on April 28, 1993, Juan Thome, a 46-year-old resident of Walnut and Caltrans employee, was killed while he was speaking to a crew on the 60 Freeway in Diamond Bar.

Thome was killed when a big-rig truck smashed into him and two other workers, according to an archived report by the Los Angeles Times.

The men killed on Sunday were contract employees for Caltrans, according to City News Service. The crashes were reported at a partial freeway closure on the northbound 405 near the Artesia Boulevard offramp, CHP Officer Ed Jacobs said.

Bodies of the two contractors were still at the scene at midmorning, according to City News Service. A third worker was hospitalized with what CHP officers said was major injuries from the crashes, in a construction zone at 3:35 a.m.

"As it turns out, one of the motorists was slowing down as he saw the construction site. He was rear-ended by the other motorist, which caused them both to drive into the construction zone," Jacobs said.

One of the cars overturned. Jacobs said the motorists may be charged with involuntary manslaughter for killing the men.

Caltrans has had a long running campaign titled Slow for the Cone. The effort highlights the dangers of speeding around construction crews. Dozens of workers around the state have been killed. Hundreds more motorists have also died, officials said.

Saturday, July 14

• Assault - 5:45 a.m. 20700 block E. Crest Lane. Deputies responded to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon.
• Vehicle Break-In/Theft – 11:45 a.m. 20800 block Golden Springs Drive. A vehicle was broken into.
• Vehicle Break-In/Theft - 11 p.m. 400 block Golden Prados Drive. A vehicle was broken into.
• Vehicle Break-In/Theft – 11 p.m. 24000 block Gold Rush Drive. A vehicle was broken into.

Sunday, July 15

• Burglary – 2:30 a.m. 400 block Wayside Place. Burglars forced their way into a home at night.
• Vehicle Break-In/Theft – 2 p.m. 23400 block Sunset Crossing Road. A vehicle was broken into.

Monday, July 16

• Vehicle Break-In/Theft – 12:30 a.m. 21700 block Gateway Center Drive. A vehicle was broken into.
• Theft/Larceny – 8:25 a.m. 1200 block Grand Avenue. A large item was stolen from a home amounting to grand theft.
• Motor Vehicle Theft – 4 a.m. 3300 block S Diamond Bar Boulevard. A vehicle was stolen for grand theft auto.

Tuesday, July 17

• Vehicle Break-In/Theft – 9 p.m. 20800 block Golden Springs Drive. A vehicle was broken into.

Wednesday, July 18

• Vehicle Break-In/Theft – 8 p.m. 1400 block Winterwood Lane. A vehicle was burglarized in the area.
• Burglary – 11 a.m. 1300 block Summitridge Drive. Burglars attempted daytime break-in at a home.
• Motor Vehicle Theft – 10:30 p.m. 22900 block True Grit Place. A vehicle was stolen for grand theft auto.
• Burglary – 1:15 p.m. 20700 block Lycoming Street. Burglars forced their way into a home during the day.

Thursday, July 19

• Assault – 2:35 p.m. 20700 block Lycoming Street. Deputies responded to a report of assault.

Friday, July 20

• Assault – 10:35 a.m. 1700 block of Chapel Hill Dive. Deputies responded to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon, use of hands, feet and fists.
• Vehicle Break-In/Theft – 6:30 p.m. 2000 block Otterbein Avenue. A vehicle was broken into in the area.
• Burglary – 9:30 a.m. 1600 block Meadow Glen Road. Burglars forced their way into a home.