Iris Salmeron Obituary-Death News; Iris Salmeron Dies on Interstate 605 Car Accident in Norwalk
According to statements from California Highway Patrol spokesperson Officer Zachary Salazar, the deadly collision was caused by 26-year-old Iris Salmeron of Bellflower, who is suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.
Authorities say Salmeron was operating a Kia traveling southbound on the 605 Freeway when she collided with a Nissan sedan that was disabled and stalled in the roadway after having been involved in a separate collision with a CHP vehicle only moments earlier.
The stalled Nissan became a deadly trap for its occupants. Upon impact from Salmeron’s vehicle, the Nissan immediately erupted into flames. Despite the swift response from emergency personnel, including fire crews and paramedics, all four individuals inside the Nissan were tragically killed at the scene. Their identities have not yet been publicly released, pending notification of next of kin. CHP officials confirmed that none of the individuals trapped inside were able to escape the burning vehicle.
Investigators believe that Salmeron’s impairment played a significant role in the collision. Witnesses reported seeing the Kia traveling at a high speed just moments before it struck the Nissan. Salmeron was taken into custody at the scene and is expected to face multiple felony charges, including vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
This deadly sequence began when the Nissan was reportedly involved in a minor collision with a CHP cruiser. Details regarding the initial crash have not been fully disclosed, but it appears the CHP vehicle was either assisting or otherwise stationary when the Nissan became disabled on the freeway. It was during this vulnerable moment, as the Nissan remained stalled in active traffic lanes, that the Kia driven by Salmeron struck the vehicle with devastating force.
Officer Salazar emphasized the dangers of impaired driving in his remarks following the tragedy. “This incident is a stark and heartbreaking reminder of the deadly consequences that can result from driving under the influence. Four lives were lost in an instant — lives that could have been spared if not for one person’s reckless decision,” he said.
The southbound 605 Freeway remained closed for several hours overnight as CHP officers conducted a thorough investigation. Fire crews worked diligently to extinguish the flames and clear the scene, while accident reconstruction experts collected evidence to better understand the precise circumstances of the crash.
As news of this horrific accident spreads, the families of the victims, as well as the broader Norwalk community, are left grappling with grief and unanswered questions. Local residents have expressed anger and heartbreak over the senseless nature of the tragedy, with many calling for continued vigilance against impaired driving and for stricter enforcement of DUI laws.
Authorities are urging anyone with additional information or who may have witnessed the crash to come forward to assist with the ongoing investigation.
In the aftermath of this catastrophic event, thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families as they navigate this unimaginable loss. A somber reminder hangs over Norwalk today: one reckless decision can change countless lives forever.
