The Antelope Valley Times

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Lancaster man killed in traffic crash

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The fatal collision occurred just before midnight on Avenue I at 30th Street East in Lancaster, sheriff's officials said. [Photo by LUIS MEZA]
The fatal collision occurred just before midnight on Avenue I at 30th Street East in Lancaster, sheriff’s officials said. [Photo by LUIS MEZA]
LANCASTER – A BMW driver died late Thursday night after he allegedly ran a red light, collided with another car and then crashed into a traffic pole, authorities said.

Johnny Zepeda, 28, of Lancaster was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision, according to Lt. Smith of the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Officer.

The fatal collision occurred around 11:50 p.m. Thursday, March 31, on Avenue I at 30th Street East in Lancaster, Sgt. David Jennings said at the scene.

The BMW struck a traffic pole and its driver was pronounced dead at the scene. [LUIS MEZA]
The BMW struck a traffic pole and its driver was pronounced dead at the scene. [LUIS MEZA]
According to a Lancaster Sheriff’s Station news release, “The driver of a 2001 BMW was traveling east on Avenue I at a high rate of speed and entered the intersection at 30th Street East against what witnesses said was a red light. The driver of a 2002 VW was traveling south on 30th Street East and entered the intersection at Avenue I on a green light. The two vehicles collided in the intersection, causing the BMW to strike a traffic pole.”

The BMW’s driver [Zepeda] was killed upon impact, investigators said. “The deceased driver was, according to witnesses, going somewhere between 80 and 100 miles per hour eastbound on Avenue I prior to the collision,” Jennings said at the scene.

The driver of the VW and her passenger were transported to Antelope Valley Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, according to the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station news release.

“It is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs were a factor,” the news release states. “Any witnesses not already contacted are encouraged to contact the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station Traffic Office [at 661-948-8466].”

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Editor’s note: The Lancaster Sheriff’s Station news release attached to this article has an incorrect date. The fatal traffic collision actually occurred on March 31, not March 28.

Filed Under: Lancaster

74 comments for "Lancaster man killed in traffic crash"

  1. I didn’t know Johnny, but I work with his father, and my prays go out to him and his family.

    • Yea it sucks when drinking driving is no cool my brother was hit by a drunk driver who left him for dead he was part of the U.S. Forestry. It makes me said my brothers accident wasn’t even the newspaper my brother now lives, in a nursing home he has 2 hematoma s wholes in his brain. Sad thing most of all California law for manslaughter is ridiculous the guy will only serve half his time the guy who hit my brother got 61/2 for causing my brother coma he has to have serve 80′ %. It’s like liars some [removed] coming out their mouth

  2. RIP to this young man, and condolences to his family and friends.

    There seems to be two or three of these stories on this site on a weekly basis. The average car weighs 4,000 pounds, and at high speeds it is an extremely dangerous weapon. SLOW DOWN PEOPLE

  3. Too sad that he took his own life, however, his reckless driving ONLY took his life , unlike Ms. Longoria, who will undoubtedly have realization kick in any day now. The tragedy is ALL the deaths could have been avoided with just a bit of common concern for public safety. SLOW THE F DOWN AV. Take those extra 5mins and get where you are going alive.

  4. its so crazy 4 acicident in a hole week in the same spot my son sow zepeda when he past away my son is tormatize i have not seen my son but i hope his ok zepedas familles am so so sorry for your lost i fill it cuz he raza R.I.P mijo y dios te tenga en la gloria but you did not deseved to died that way mijo a hord that accident and i said omg another one wow r.i.p dont know you but i filait as my fam you will be missed by your love one

  5. So young to leave too soon. Rest in Peace Johnny. May the Lord give strength to Johnny’s family, and especially the family he had created. One thing Johnny accomplished was creating his offspring, because his blood still lives through his offspring. My family had remembered Johnny as we were growing up, and I kinda knew him, but my relatives remembered him very well. He’s around my one of my sisters age, and she remembered him very well. Well our family used to live down the street from his family in Lake LA. As for all the negative energy speaking about Johnny. Please don’t judge and assume wrong facts about him until you know the true story behind the wheel! Before the Lord took Johnny in his hands. Understand you only live once so learn to love life, and live it well.

  6. All we can do is pray for Danny because although he’s still on earth, his soul is dead. Unfortunately, I bet he’s killing everyone’s souls and spirits around him and that is no accident when you’re an ×÷%# intentionally.

    I do not know this gentleman tgat lost his life in such a tragic “accident,” but I pray that at the final hour he was at peace with God, who is the only one that can judge him.

    May the families and the child/ren hold on to each other ND try to find peace in such a sudden tragic loss.

    May the injured families recover physically and most importantly, emotionally as they are now forever connected to this young man’s family.

    As for Danny….. I feel sorry that someone feels such a need to stay relevant that they make such nasty, ignorant and opinionated comments in such a tragic situation. Ignorance is not an accessory, but you appear to wear it well.

    Love from Las Vegas, NV

  7. Everyone is so focused on this whole “80-100 MPH” comment from these witness’s.. What exactly makes them qualified to make this ESTIMATE of speed? Unless they are certified in speed estimation or if they were standing there with a radar gun, then there ESTIMATE of speed only amounts to “he was going really fast”. And not one of us knows the situation that was going on…. There are a hundred different circumstances that could have influenced him to do the things that he did … You all are just too closed minded to entertain them!

    • You can tell how fast a vehicle is going, generally, by skid marks and damage to a vehicle. Witnesses aren’t general very accurate, but from looking at the vehicle and how long the skid marks are, how out of control the skid was (turning sideways) and impact, I would say it’s above 75mph.

  8. To Johnny who was a brother to me, a son to his mother and father, and father to his beautiful children I hope you have piece in that beautiful big heart of yours because throughout it all you are a great big brother. I will always love you and have you in my heart and mind. I love you so much and we will all miss you VERY much. We will see each other soon but until then just rest in piece my big brother of mine and watch over us, especially those beautiful children of yours.

    To say your glad he died is so damn horrific to read, everyone has made a mistake or mistakes that one is not proud of, but you live, learn and forgive. Nonetheless, to those who are bring the negativity and those encouraging it is unforgivable for what comes out of that horrifically ugly hole in your face you may have its unbelievably crazy that you can’t keep it shut. However, When your brother, sister, daughter, son, father, or anyone close to your heart like a mother dies and that is considering the fact if you even have one because of the ridicule things you say shows you didn’t learn your manners, and if you do have one Im pretty sure she knows things that she’s not proud to say about you or probably isn’t happy she even had you. I don’t hope for the worst but today it infuriated me and it changed because of these unintellectual animals that don’t know how to speak correctly with respect. Know this when anyone so close to you dies in your life and your Mourning with sorrow, think of this post and imprint it in that empty shell of head you have that someone is glad your suffering because you had someone taken away like I did except you really deserved it for those unpleasant things you all said. I know that you hate your life therefore you try to bring anyone down to make you feel better, but guess what while other people are living there precious lives you will still be suffering you savage immature child. I think anyone is smart enough to know that Johnny Zepeda did a wrong thing, but those who are actually smart and are respectful give their condolences and give their respect rather than saying something so ignorant that can just be kept to ones self. I thank those who are giving us their condolences it means a lot and I bless your hearts and may goodness come your way.

  9. To be honest with all you people ,
    To the people that are talking [removed] , don’t talk [removed] and don’t say ur glad that he died because he has a family like you guys do and don’t u think there family is in pain rn you should be sorry for saying that . He was a very nice person And he was family to me .

    To all the people that are feeling sorry for our lost , thx for the condolences , and bless you .

  10. R.I.P. Johnny,Your family at BYD will miss you.Johnny was a friend and a coworker and was a nice guy.He always had a smile for everyone.God bless.

  11. He has begun the ultimate journey, one that so many before him have gone, and everyone still here will go on, RIParadise, happy journey’s to you,

  12. Danny:

    Notice that you and I are the only ones expressing any concern for the innocent victims?

    Kudos for your forthrightness and integrity my brother.

    To be truthful I’m glad he’s dead also so he can’t do that to my family.

    • What a horrible thing to say. You’re glad he’s dead? People make mistakes, none of us are oerfect,…to be happy that another human being has died and in a horrific way, we’ll I feel sorry for you, because it’s obvious something, love, friends, family, happiness, …is missing in your life. I hope some day your heart heals.

      • There are mistakes, than there is running a red light at a high rate of speed.

        He chose to do those two.

        He chose to put innocent peoples lives in danger.

        We need to stop making excuses, need to stop blind forgiveness for bad judgement, and we need to encourage good judgement.

        I have had to deal with enough horrible drivers in this valley nearly killing me and my family my sympathy is slowly fading when a bad driver kills themselves.

        I am thankful the innocent parties were not killed.

        • Amen, you’re a bastard for for pointing out the horrible truth. Bless them all and thank God this time he didn’t kill someone else.

  13. This gose out to all the negitive coments go [removed] ur selfs and im not a hatefull person for ppl that know me im a loving person but all u talking [removed] i really wish from the bottom of my heart that one day u get to fell this pain and someone talk [removed] about it..

    • We do feel the pain.

      We feel the pain when fools run red lights and hurt our family.

      We feel pain when people run stop signs and hurt our family.

      We feel pain when an idiot is to busy texting or checking their phone to not swerve into oncoming traffic.

      We also are tired of this recklessness in our Valley.

      We are tired of seeing innocent victims hurt by people being careless and foolish.

      If you cannot handle driving a motor vehicle properly in this valley, take the public transportation and keep other people safe.

      So we do feel the pain. IF you want to stop people from talking crap, take the time to talk to your family and friends about driving safely. IF you see them drive like an idiot tell them to stop. If they are drunk, or becoming senile, take their keys away. Help our community be better.

  14. Running red lights at 80-100 MPH: He deserved to die a horrible death. Innocent people in the streets. I hope the pendejo suffered.

    • Really!!!! People have so much hate in them its crazy. I’m just going to pray for you because it seems like you really need it.

      • Instead pray for the innocent people that get killed by irresponsible pedejos like him.

        • I agree, what a selfish person drives 80 to 100 MPG thru red lights and shows no regard for ANY human life. Sorry for the loss but stop feeling sorry for him because he brought in on himself, I’m glad he didn’t kill anyone else.

        • Excuse me , but you don’t have to call him a irresponsible pendejo and you should not only be praying for the other people , you should be praying for the one who died too . And don’t call him a pendejo because you wouldn’t like to be called a pendejo , or would you . You should be praying for the family of this man because they can be in real pain rn and your over here calling this man a pendejo , it’s not right at all .

    • You hope the pendejo suffered and I hope that you die in your bed and don’t feel pain, because if you die just like this pendejo or in any similar way, you might still have conscious enough to remember and eat your words. Mmmmmm… that would be yummy! What a way of expressing yourself. You have no idea what happened that night. Why he was speeding. Seriously.. I really hope that no matter what bad news you get someday, or no matter how difficult the times for you may be, that you always always keep your head focused and keep calm because running red lights at 80-100 MPH; YOU wouldn’t want a horrible death

    • Con la vara q midas seras medido es uno d mi familia y se nos fue el dolor q sientan sus padres y su familia no se lo deceo a nadie mas q puras bendiciones

    • Really! How about you consider the 10 year old boy that has to see his father split in half. The children that will never get to know there dad. You’re an awful person for making a statement like that. Yes he was doing something wrong and he obviously paid the ultimate price for it, isn’t that enough! His children and family are suffering. Negative comments can be kept to yourself. May God Bless the Family

      • No it’s not enough. Why did the selfish lowlife jeopardize innocent people?

        I didn’t see one of you give a damn about the innocent people he hospitalized. Maybe next time it will be your loved ones.

        Operating a motor vehicle is more difficult than herding burros and you must be responsible. We’re better off without his kind.

        • Would you feel the same if that person who ran the red light was your father/Brother ? Exactly ! So be understanding look at both situations and and be humble and not vengeful and pray for all.

      • To be honest with you don’t ever say that someone deserves to die , and don’t call this man a puto because u wouldn’t be liked to be called a puto or puta would u ? . This man ur calling a puto is my family member , don’t u think his family is in pain rn ? Don’t you think his family is hurt inside ? And your over here saying that he deserves a horrible death , and ur calling him a puto like ur being an ass hole rn , for saying that . How would you feel if u got in an accident and people were commenting that u deserved to die and that u are a puto , would u like that , I absolutely think you wouldn’t , Like people like you talking [removed] about a person who has a family and children and a wife . You should be sorry your saying that about my family member

    • Never say you are glad that happened because you never know when it could happen to someone you love no one is perfect and for a fact you are not just by what you have said!

  15. Ah que mi amiguito Danielito el chistosito! Se pasa de buena gente y de osiconcito, sera x q el no tiene falla alguna, o por que nacio entre diamantes, oro, y marmol era su cuna, talvez no me entiende, pero no importa, por que el no comprende, por que es idiota, con esa boca habla, con esa mente piensa, que tristesa de la vida, que forme a alguien asi, de pies a cabeza, trata de ser Feliz mi buen amigo Danielito, por que solo se vive una vez, aunque sea por un tiempo cortito, como la vida, la vida de Johnisito,

  16. So sad rip …thats crazy that his is johJohnny and the older man that died in the same intersection the other day from another accident name is johnny too.?

  17. My dear Danny… I bet u r a very very very very very loving, charming, sweet, gracious, thankful & joyful person! Oooppppppssss – WRONG! But u know what? I don’t care! :) bcuz d way u treat people, people will treat u, & if u have nothing good to say… to me – u have no values, morals, respect & inner peace. NOW THat’s Cruel! A life like that… is a waste of talent!:: many blessings to ALL d family & may Johnny Zepeda RIP. ——- c u soon… cuz… cuz… cuz…. cuz…. cuz.. we will ALL get there when we get there :)

  18. Johnny was a great coworker, one of the ones that helped me when i started … RIP Johnny … God Bless You…
    Sorry but stupid comments are not allow …

  19. It is a very sad and unfortunate incident but it wasn’t an accident. An accident occurs by no fault other than circumstance an incident occurs through carelessness or recklessness. The saddest thing here is that this story never should have happened. The circumstances could have been avoided completely had some thought gone into his decision making with how he drove. There needs to be some accountability here too many people die needlessly on these roads. Doesn’t anyone think about anyone other than themselves especially when you’re driving? I know I never want to needlessly be the cause of my own or anyone else’s demise. My deepest condolences and sympathy to his family and friends the circumstances never make losing a loved one any easier. Hopefully this can be a beacon, a lesson to help bring awareness and accountability for people.

    • per Merriam-Webster, the definition of ACCIDENT
      :a sudden event (such as a crash) that is not planned or intended and that causes damage or injury.

      I am sure that this was not planned or intended.. so yeah, this pretty much defines the word ACCIDENT.
      you can say all you want about how foolish, irresponsible, dangerous, etc this man was (not that I MYSELF would, seeing as I was not there and do not know ALL of the circumstances) but what you cannot say is that this was not an accident.

      • Ok driving 80 to 100mph wasnt intended? What happen his foot just stomped the gas pedal and he couldnt stop it? Yes he didnt plan it or necessarily intend for the exact circumanstance to happen but he didnt try to prevent it either. So this isnt an accident its reckless endangerement to himself and everyone else.. may he rest in peace and condolences to his loved ones. But he doesnt get a golden pass for his actions to be dismissed as accidental or unintentional. He took a risk and lost his life unfortunately. Let this be a lesson for everyone to think about the choices they make beforehand because the results are truly unpredictable.

      • By your logic dui drivers who kill people while driving drunk were just in accidents, right? If he killed those other people and lived youd be singing a very different song.

        • absolutely it would still be an accident. stupid, selfish people (once again, not making any statements about anyone in particular.. certainly not anyone in this article) have accidents everyday. generally they have more accidents than their counterparts!

        • You can’t change the definition of a word simply because of the way you FEEL. Unlike you, the dictionary is not biased.

          • Who are you talking too? What he didnt intend to drive at high speeds and blow through a red light? Are you serious?

      • Collision – according to officers and the courts, it is a collision.
        Accident implies no wrong doing. In this case, speeding and not observing rules of the road led to the collision.

  20. DANNY!! HOW DARE YOU SPEAK OF IGNORANCE! JOHNNY ZEPEDA WAS A GREAT PERSON AND A WONDERFUL COWORKER! AND WAS A HÀRD WORKING FATHER! AND HUSBAND! HE WAS LOVED BY ALL AT BYD COACH & BUS!! AND WILL ALWAYS BE MISSED!! MY HEART GOES OUT TO HIS FAMILY! THIS HAS BEEN A TRAGIC LOSS FOR ALL GOD HAS TOOK YOU FROM ALL US TO SOON! TILL WE MEET AGAIN …..

  21. Thats is my girlfriends step dad he left behind a wife and a son. How dare you say say that danny. How would you feel if your dad was cut in half after a car accident. Kiss my [removed] puto

  22. It’s not polite Danny and how dare you judge. That was my little cousin and I will pray for you. My family is in pain we all make mistakes but saying something so horrible he was someone’s son.

  24. Oh wow may he rest in peace
    Thank god he didn’t kill innocent people at least it cost him his own life it’s sad that he died my condolences to the family

  25. What’s happening in the AV? Three people dead due to traffic related crashes! People, take care when driving, and don’t do dumb things like speed and run red lights. People get badly injured or killed when such ignorant self centered acts are done by the careless!
    And don’t drive drunk!

    • Thats someones Son, Father, and Husband…you should really keep your evil post to yourself “Danny”.

    • You’re a piece of [removed]. His family and friends are mourning his death, & this is what you have to say. You [removed].

    • Karma Danny, karma. I hope you never have the police at your door or on the phone telling you your child has been killed as I and hundred of thousands have, just like this family has. If you ever do I hope people around you are kinder to you then you have been to this family.

      May your son, husband and father rest in peace and may you the family be given the strength and courage and faith to help you get through this tragedy.

    • [removed], you IGNORANT piece of [removed]. I’m glad that the other drivers are ok, but for you to say such a [removed] UP thing at a time when his family is torn apart is 100% wrong. I hope you get beat the [removed] up for being such a [removed].

    • Hmmm, driving 80 to 100 mph and running the red light, what di he expect to happen? I’m sure he didn’t mean to do it but none the less, DUH.

    • Danny:

      Notice that you and I are the only ones expressing any concern for the innocent victims?

      Kudos for your forthrightness and integrity my brother.

      To be truthful I’m glad he’s dead also so he can’t do that to my family.

  27. I reported on this yesterday on my scanner facebook page after the call freshly came out.. A few days prior we had an accident there that killed an Elderly man On the 28th, Same intersection. Then 3 days later it happened again claiming another life. So I did have some people trying to figure out if it was the accident from the 28th that I just posted about on the 31st but they realized it’s a new crash.

  28. I cant believe this. R.i.p Johnny. Your at peace with our lord and one day we will all be together. You ment a lot to me at one point in life long ago. I have always prayed for you to find the good in the world and for youbtobfind the right path. I just hope you did.. I pray you left your boys with beautiful memories of you. They live on with a piece of you. Im sorry for his family. His parents are amazing people. May they find strength and hope to keep going. Just know he is in a better place.