A minor fender bender became a fatal wreck Sunday evening on the 60 Freeway in Jurupa Valley, when a BMW struck a fire truck that was stopped for a minor fender bender.
According to Riverside County fire, the fire engine was parked on the side of the eastbound 60 Freeway west of Valley Way, when a BMW slammed into it at about 12:30 p.m.
The crash occurred during rain and slippery driving conditions.
A man was driving the BMW. He was pronounced dead at the scene. He has yet to be publicly identified. The crash remains under investigation by CHP
One person was killed when their SUV rolled over on the Orange Avenue offramp of the southbound 405 Freeway early Sunday in Signal Hill.
The crash occurred at about 1:50 a.m. The SUV flipped over and landed in the center divider. About an hour after the crash, a the LA County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene.
A memorial continued to grow this week at the Mt. San Antonio College campus for Ralph Barragan, the 63-year-old school tram driver, who died after a car struck the pedestrian on campus on Dec. 1.
Barragan was a beloved figure at the Walnut campus, as a note from school administrators amplified this week, announcing the memorial.
“We woke up, we came to work at Mt. SAC and for many of us, our lives were permanently changed,” said the email, from Audrey Yamagata-Noji, vice president, student services, and from Malia Flood, dean, ACCESS and Wellness.
It went on: “We are all full of so many emotions. Ralph was our friend, our buddy, our ray of sunshine. He came to work with a smile on his face every day – bringing joy and positivity to everyone with whom he interacted.”
A memorial for Rafael Barragan Jr., a 63-year-old man fatally struck by a car in what authorities described as an intentional act on a Southern California college campus on Dec. 7.2022 in Walnut, CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
A photo of Rafael Barragan Jr., a 63-year-old man fatally struck by a car in what authorities described as an intentional act on a Southern California college campus on Dec. 7.2022 in Walnut, CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
Students walk past a memorial for Rafael Barragan Jr., a 63-year-old man fatally struck by a car in what authorities described as an intentional act on a Southern California college campus on Dec. 7.2022 in Walnut, CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
A memorial for Rafael Barragan Jr., a 63-year-old man fatally struck by a car in what authorities described as an intentional act on a Southern California college campus on Dec. 7.2022 in Walnut, CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
A capital “R” is placed on the front of a club car. A memorial for Rafael Barragan Jr., a 63-year-old man fatally struck by a car in what authorities described as an intentional act on a Southern California college campus on Dec. 7.2022 in Walnut, CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
A memorial for Rafael Barragan Jr., a 63-year-old man fatally struck by a car in what authorities described as an intentional act on a Southern California college campus on Dec. 7.2022 in Walnut, CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
Cards are set up for students inside the Student Services building. A memorial for Rafael Barragan Jr., a 63-year-old man fatally struck by a car in what authorities described as an intentional act on a Southern California college campus on Dec. 7.2022 in Walnut, CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
A memorial for Rafael Barragan Jr., a 63-year-old man fatally struck by a car in what authorities described as an intentional act on a Southern California college campus on Dec. 7.2022 in Walnut, CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
A photo of Rafael Barragan Jr., a 63-year-old man fatally struck by a car in what authorities described as an intentional act on a Southern California college campus on Dec. 7.2022 in Walnut, CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
In announcing the memorial, and a pending on vigil on Friday, leaders described Barragan as much more than an employee who’s job it was to transport disabled students.
“He was their friend, their mentor, their encourager,” administrators said. “To colleagues, he was always around to be supportive, to smile, to wave, to stop to show you pictures of his family, to remember something about you, to take an interest in you and your life.”
The memorial began on Monday, at the west end of the Student Services Center (9B). It is an area of the campus where Barragan would park and board his passengers on the tram transport. Officials invited the campus community to write a note or just come by to remember Barragan.
Many in the community at Mt. SAC were devastated by Barragan’s death.
A former tram driver at the college, 38-year-old James Edward Milliken Jr. of Diamond Bar, was charged Monday in the attack.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office also charged in connection with the allegation that he used two weapons, a car and a knife, to commit the crime on Thursday, Dec. 1.
Milliken struck 63-year-old Rafael Barragan Jr. of Pomona with a car outside Building 9A, Sheriff’s detectives said. Barragan died there. Milliken remained at the scene and was detained.
Administrator said the impact of the loss on staff at the campus’s ACCESS center has been “overwhelming.”
Employees have been given the option to return to work “when comfortable doing so” while also remaining open to students who need assistance with accessibility to and around campus — a role that Barragan served in as a tram driver.
At 3 p.m. Friday, in the Student Services Center (building 9B, first floor), there will be a brief memorial to honor Barragan.
Officials called it a chance to take part in “Ralphie’s Fan Club.”
A memorial continued to grow this week at the Mt. San Antonio College campus for Ralph Barragan, the 63-year-old school tram driver, who died after a car struck the pedestrian on campus on Dec. 1.
Barragan was a beloved figure at the Walnut campus, as a note from school administrators amplified this week, announcing the memorial.
“We woke up, we came to work at Mt. SAC and for many of us, our lives were permanently changed,” said the email, from Audrey Yamagata-Noji, vice president, student services, and from Malia Flood, dean, ACCESS and Wellness.
It went on: “We are all full of so many emotions. Ralph was our friend, our buddy, our ray of sunshine. He came to work with a smile on his face every day – bringing joy and positivity to everyone with whom he interacted.”
A memorial for Rafael Barragan Jr., a 63-year-old man fatally struck by a car in what authorities described as an intentional act on a Southern California college campus on Dec. 7.2022 in Walnut, CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
A photo of Rafael Barragan Jr., a 63-year-old man fatally struck by a car in what authorities described as an intentional act on a Southern California college campus on Dec. 7.2022 in Walnut, CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
Students walk past a memorial for Rafael Barragan Jr., a 63-year-old man fatally struck by a car in what authorities described as an intentional act on a Southern California college campus on Dec. 7.2022 in Walnut, CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
A memorial for Rafael Barragan Jr., a 63-year-old man fatally struck by a car in what authorities described as an intentional act on a Southern California college campus on Dec. 7.2022 in Walnut, CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
A capital “R” is placed on the front of a club car. A memorial for Rafael Barragan Jr., a 63-year-old man fatally struck by a car in what authorities described as an intentional act on a Southern California college campus on Dec. 7.2022 in Walnut, CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
A memorial for Rafael Barragan Jr., a 63-year-old man fatally struck by a car in what authorities described as an intentional act on a Southern California college campus on Dec. 7.2022 in Walnut, CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
Cards are set up for students inside the Student Services building. A memorial for Rafael Barragan Jr., a 63-year-old man fatally struck by a car in what authorities described as an intentional act on a Southern California college campus on Dec. 7.2022 in Walnut, CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
A memorial for Rafael Barragan Jr., a 63-year-old man fatally struck by a car in what authorities described as an intentional act on a Southern California college campus on Dec. 7.2022 in Walnut, CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
A photo of Rafael Barragan Jr., a 63-year-old man fatally struck by a car in what authorities described as an intentional act on a Southern California college campus on Dec. 7.2022 in Walnut, CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
In announcing the memorial, and a pending on vigil on Friday, leaders described Barragan as much more than an employee who’s job it was to transport disabled students.
“He was their friend, their mentor, their encourager,” administrators said. “To colleagues, he was always around to be supportive, to smile, to wave, to stop to show you pictures of his family, to remember something about you, to take an interest in you and your life.”
The memorial began on Monday, at the west end of the Student Services Center (9B). It is an area of the campus where Barragan would park and board his passengers on the tram transport. Officials invited the campus community to write a note or just come by to remember Barragan.
Many in the community at Mt. SAC were devastated by Barragan’s death.
A former tram driver at the college, 38-year-old James Edward Milliken Jr. of Diamond Bar, was charged Monday in the attack.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office also charged in connection with the allegation that he used two weapons, a car and a knife, to commit the crime on Thursday, Dec. 1.
Milliken struck 63-year-old Rafael Barragan Jr. of Pomona with a car outside Building 9A, Sheriff’s detectives said. Barragan died there. Milliken remained at the scene and was detained.
Administrator said the impact of the loss on staff at the campus’s ACCESS center has been “overwhelming.”
Employees have been given the option to return to work “when comfortable doing so” while also remaining open to students who need assistance with accessibility to and around campus — a role that Barragan served in as a tram driver.
At 3 p.m. Friday, in the Student Services Center (building 9B, first floor), there will be a brief memorial to honor Barragan.
Officials called it a chance to take part in “Ralphie’s Fan Club.”
SAN JACINTO — A Hemet man Monday faces vehicular manslaughter and other charges in the hit-and-run collision that killed a bicyclist in San Jacinto.
Sunday at 8:21 p.m. at the intersection of State Street and Dillon Avenue deputies responded to reports of a man down in the roadway.
Witnesses reported that the victim was he center median on State Street with his bicycle when he was struck by a white Hyundai that sped off.
The victim died at the scene. The suspect’s license plate was written down by a witness and traced back to a 21-year-old from Hemet, named Savaughn Jojuan Colon Barnes.
He was arrested Monday on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and felony hit-and-run causing death. His bail was set at $100,000.
A suspected drunken driver was arrested on charges related to the crash that killed Arcely Echeverria and Jordan Gomez over the weekend
The coroner’s office identified Echeverria, 24, of La Puente and Gomez, 31, of Azusa, as two of the passengers in the Acura RSX that Michael Maya, 26, of Covina, is accused of driving, while drunken, at a high speed before the 7:30 a.m. crash on Gran Avenue, just south of Virginia Avenue, in an unincorporated county area near West Covina.
The RSX slammed into parked cars killing the two, injuring a third woman in the backseat. Maya was also injured in the crash.
Echeverria died at the scene. Gomez died at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office also charged 38-year-old James Edward Milliken Jr. of Diamond Bar in connection with the allegation that he used two weapons, a car and a knife, to commit the crime on Thursday, Dec. 1.
Milliken struck 63-year-old Rafael Barragan Jr. of Pomona with a car outside Building 9A, Sheriff’s detectives said. Barragan died there. Milliken remained at the scene and was detained.
The memorial at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut for tram driver Rafael Barragan Jr. who was struck and killed by a driver on campus the morning of Dec. 1, 2022. Authorities on Dec. 6, 2022 filed a murder charge against Barragan’s former co-worker, James Milliken, 38, of Diamond Bar. (Photo courtesy of Mt. San Antonio College)
Milliken was scheduled for a Monday arraignment at Pomona Superior Court, but it was continued until Tuesday, according to a court official.
The victim and the suspect worked as tram drivers for disabled students at the college located at 1100 N. Grand Ave. in Walnut. Milliken was a part-time driver from Oct. 13, 2016 to Sept. 23, 2021. College officials said he resigned.
In an Oct. 5, 2021 Facebook post, Milliken claimed his co-workers treated him unfairly, made racist comments, spread rumors about him and commented on his hair. He named Barragan and alleged Barragan threatened him on multiple occasions and convinced others to harass him.
However, detectives have not revealed a motive for the killing.
Mt. SAC president William Scroggins described Barragan as gracious, popular and respected.
“On Thursday morning, Dec. 1, we woke up, we came to work at Mt. SAC and for many of us, our lives were permanently changed. None of us were prepared for what we faced that day,” Audrey Yamagata-Noji, vice president of Student Services, said in a statement Monday. “Ralph was our friend, our buddy, our ray of sunshine.”
Barragan came to work with a smile on his face every day and brought joy and positivity to everyone he interacted, she said.
“Ralph did so much more than transport ACCESS students – he was their friend, their mentor, their encourager. To colleagues, he was always around to be supportive, to smile, to wave, to stop to show you pictures of his family, to remember something about you, to take an interest in you and your life,” Yamagata-Noji said.
A campus memorial was set up for Barragan at the west end of the Student Services Center at Mt. SAC. It is the area of the campus where Barragan would park and board his passengers on the tram, she said.
The college will also host a memorial service to honor Barragan’s legacy at 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, on the first floor of the Student Services Center.
–Staff writer Nathaniel Percy contributed to this report.
Editor’s note: The publication time of this article has been corrected.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office also charged 38-year-old James Edward Milliken Jr. of Diamond Bar in connection with the allegation that he used two weapons, a car and a knife, to commit the crime on Thursday, Dec. 1.
Milliken struck 63-year-old Rafael Barragan Jr. of Pomona with a car outside Building 9A, Sheriff’s detectives said. Barragan died there. Milliken remained at the scene and was detained.
The memorial at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut for tram driver Rafael Barragan Jr. who was struck and killed by a driver on campus the morning of Dec. 1, 2022. Authorities on Dec. 6, 2022 filed a murder charge against Barragan’s former co-worker, James Milliken, 38, of Diamond Bar. (Photo courtesy of Mt. San Antonio College)
Milliken was scheduled for a Monday arraignment at Pomona Superior Court, but it was continued until Tuesday, according to a court official.
The victim and the suspect worked as tram drivers for disabled students at the college located at 1100 N. Grand Ave. in Walnut. Milliken was a part-time driver from Oct. 13, 2016 to Sept. 23, 2021. College officials said he resigned.
In an Oct. 5, 2021 Facebook post, Milliken claimed his co-workers treated him unfairly, made racist comments, spread rumors about him and commented on his hair. He named Barragan and alleged Barragan threatened him on multiple occasions and convinced others to harass him.
However, detectives have not revealed a motive for the killing.
Mt. SAC president William Scroggins described Barragan as gracious, popular and respected.
“On Thursday morning, Dec. 1, we woke up, we came to work at Mt. SAC and for many of us, our lives were permanently changed. None of us were prepared for what we faced that day,” Audrey Yamagata-Noji, vice president of Student Services, said in a statement Monday. “Ralph was our friend, our buddy, our ray of sunshine.”
Barragan came to work with a smile on his face every day and brought joy and positivity to everyone he interacted, she said.
“Ralph did so much more than transport ACCESS students – he was their friend, their mentor, their encourager. To colleagues, he was always around to be supportive, to smile, to wave, to stop to show you pictures of his family, to remember something about you, to take an interest in you and your life,” Yamagata-Noji said.
A campus memorial was set up for Barragan at the west end of the Student Services Center at Mt. SAC. It is the area of the campus where Barragan would park and board his passengers on the tram, she said.
The college will also host a memorial service to honor Barragan’s legacy at 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, on the first floor of the Student Services Center.
–Staff writer Nathaniel Percy contributed to this report.
Editor’s note: The publication time of this article has been corrected.
On Dec. 1, 2022, Sheriff’s detectives arrested a former Mt. San Antonio College tram driver on suspicion of killing another tram driver on campus. The suspect, 38-year-old James Milliken, was driving the car that struck 63-year-old Rafael Barragan Jr. near one of the school buildings on Dec. 1, 2022. (Photo courtesy of Mt. San Antonio College)
On Dec. 1, 2022, Sheriff’s detectives arrested a former Mt. San Antonio College tram driver on suspicion of killing another tram driver on campus. The suspect, 38-year-old James Milliken, was driving the car that struck 63-year-old Rafael Barragan Jr. near one of the school buildings on Dec. 1, 2022. (Photo courtesy of Mt. San Antonio College)
A Marine veteran and former tram driver at Mt. San Antonio College faces charges for hitting and killing an ex-coworker with a car on campus.
James Milliken, 38, was arrested on suspicion of murder on Thursday, the same day the victim was hit, Sheriff’s Lt. Patricia Thomas said. Investigators are still working out the possible motive. She didn’t release his city of residence.
The victim, identified by the coroner’s office as 63-year-old Rafael Barragan Jr., died of sharp and blunt force injuries, according to the coroner’s office. Mt. SAC officials identified him as Ralph Barragan from Pomona.
Both Milliken and Barragan worked as tram drivers for disabled students at the college located at 1100 N. Grand Ave. in Walnut.
“James was a former college employee, working as a part-time driver for the ACCESS department from October 2016 until he resigned in September 2021. Out of respect for Ralph and his family, as well as to support the criminal investigation, we are unable to share additional details,” Bill Scroggins, Mt. San Antonio College’s president, said.
“Losing Ralph has been heartbreaking for our campus community. The circumstances of his passing are additionally painful,” Scroggins said. “Many of you may have strong feelings regarding the tragedy. We want to assure you that we are doing all things possible to provide support and assistance at this time.”
A memorial to Barragan will be set up Dec. 5 at the west end of the Student Services Center, he said.
Milliken also had attended the college as a student. He first enrolled the summer of 2010 and last attended spring of 2018. He was in good academic standing, said Jill Dolan, spokeswoman for the college.
Milliken was born in 1984 in Blytheville, Arkansas and joined the Marine Corps after high school graduation, according to his biography on the college website. He served in Iraq in mid-2004 and 2005 and received awards.
“I was part of the main effort in November 2004 during Operation Al Fajr, the retaking of the city of Fallujah. Before the assault commenced, the operation was known as Operation Phantom Fury,” he wrote. “3rd Battalion, 1st Marines was part of the composition of RCT 1. RCT 1 was partly responsible for clearing the infamous Jolan District, among others. Alongside RCT 7, four Marine battalions (including 1/3, 1/8, and 3/5) and various US Army units reclaimed the city of Fallujah from unrest.”
At the the time the biography was written, he was attending the University of La Verne for a bachelor’s degree in sociology.
Milliken remained in custody Friday at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles on a $2 million bail.
