POMONA (CNS) - The investigation was continuing Monday into the death of a 12-year-old boy whose father was arrested on suspicion of DUI following a crash over the weekend in Pomona.
The crash was reported about 12:05 a.m. Saturday on the southbound Orange (57) Freeway near Temple Avenue, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Ignacio Vazquez, 32, of Pomona suffered "major injuries" in the crash, and he was taken to Pomona Valley Hospital and arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, the CHP reported.
According to the CHP, a 12-year-old boy riding in the 2016 Honda Civic with Vazquez died at the hospital. Authorities did not identify the boy or confirm his relationship to the suspect.
However, KTLA reported that the boy was Vazquez's son, Abel Vazquez, who was a day shy of his 13th birthday.
According to the CHP, the man was driving the car "southbound on SR- 57 to Temple Avenue, at a high rate of speed."
"It was determined (Vazquez) was driving the Honda while under the influence of alcohol, and for reasons still under investigation, the Honda left the roadway and crashed into a dirt embankment," the CHP said in a statement.
"As a result of the crash (Vazquez) and his passenger ... both sustained major injuries and were transported by Fire Personnel to Pomona Valley Hospital for medical treatment," the CHP reported.
"Alcohol is suspected to be a factor in the traffic collision," the CHP reported. "Mr. Vazquez was determined to be impaired at the time of the crash, and was subsequently placed under arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol."
Anyone with information on the case was urged to call CHP Officer N. Bilinski at the Baldwin Park Area office at 626-338-1164.
It was reported that the boy and his father were returning from a concert in celebration of the child's upcoming birthday when the crash occurred.
"He made it a point for his father to only get two tickets because he wanted to spend quality time with his father," Sanchez said.
"If alcohol or any other substance did play a factor in this tragic event, then we strongly feel that he should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law," Sanchez said.
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