Maximus Calzada, Pedro Gomez Obituary, Death – Authorities have released the identities of three young men who lost their lives in two separate vehicle crashes in northern Los Angeles County, one in Acton and the other in Sun Village. Both incidents occurred earlier this week and remain under active investigation by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and local law enforcement.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that 22-year-old Maximus Calzada, the driver of a black Infiniti Q50, and his passenger, 22-year-old Pedro Gomez, were killed in a head-on crash in Acton early Tuesday morning. The accident occurred near Sierra Highway just south of Crown Valley Road. According to investigators, Calzada’s vehicle, traveling north, suddenly veered into the opposite lane for reasons not yet determined and collided with a blue Honda Odyssey.
The Honda was driven by 57-year-old S. Hernandez-Trinidad of Santa Clarita, who sustained serious injuries and was transported to a hospital for treatment. A rear passenger in the Infiniti, identified as 22-year-old G. Gonzalez of Canyon Country, also survived but suffered critical injuries and was hospitalized. Tragically, Calzada and Gomez were pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives later determined that neither man had been wearing a seat belt at the time of impact, a factor that may have contributed to the severity of their injuries. Toxicology tests are pending as authorities continue to examine whether drugs, alcohol, or other factors may have played a role.
CHP has urged anyone with information about the Acton collision to contact Officer D. Morales at the Antelope Valley Area Office.
Just hours earlier, on Monday evening, another fatal collision unfolded in Sun Village, claiming the life of 18-year-old Sergio Ortega of Littlerock. Officials say Ortega was driving a gray Infiniti G35 when his car was struck at an intersection by a maroon Kia allegedly driven by 47-year-old M. Monroy of Palmdale.
The crash occurred around 6:50 p.m. at the intersection of 90th Street East and Palmdale Boulevard. Investigators said Monroy was traveling southbound at high speed when he failed to stop for a red light. His Kia entered the intersection, colliding with Ortega’s Infiniti, which was heading east on Palmdale Boulevard. The force of the impact sent Ortega’s car into a white Chevrolet Avalanche pickup that was waiting at the signal.
Ortega was pronounced dead at the scene. Monroy, who sustained serious but unspecified injuries, was hospitalized following the crash. After further investigation, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department detectives placed Monroy under arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The driver of the Chevrolet, identified as 69-year-old G. Martinez of Lancaster, was not hurt, though a female passenger in the pickup suffered minor injuries. Authorities have not released her identity.
CHP officials handling the Sun Village crash have requested that anyone with information reach out to Officer M. Sandoval at the Antelope Valley Area Office.
Both tragedies highlight ongoing concerns about reckless and impaired driving on Los Angeles County roadways. The Acton collision underscores the dangers of crossing into oncoming traffic and the importance of seat belt use, while the Sun Village crash illustrates the devastating consequences of suspected DUI and ignoring traffic signals.
Investigators continue to piece together the events leading to the crashes as families and communities mourn the sudden loss of three young men. Calzada and Gomez, both 22, and Ortega, just 18, represent lives cut short by circumstances still being unraveled.
For now, law enforcement agencies are working to establish the full details behind each tragedy, with toxicology reports, witness accounts, and crash reconstructions expected to provide clearer answers in the weeks ahead.
