Imperial Valley Press Quick News

Man and two young sons die of their injuries following crash

HOLTVILLE --- An Imperial man and his two sons died of their injuries this morning when the man drove past a stop sign on eastbound Worthington Road and a second vehicle plowed into the pickup truck there were traveling in, a California Highway Patrol officer said.

The names of the father and his sons were not immediately confirmed by authorities, but Highway Patrol Officer Pablo Torrez said the boys were 5 and 10 years of age, respectively. The man was taken to El Centro Medical Center while his 5-year-old son was flown out to Yuma Regional Medical Center where he died of his injuries following the crash that was reported about 6:30 a.m., Torrez said. The 10-year-old boy died at the scene, Torrez said.

The second vehicle was a truck that was carrying a tanker and was heading north on Highline Road. The crash is under investigation.

Please read Sunday's issue of the Imperial Valley Press for more information on this story.

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer

Ledon denies intending to kill wife during trial

Murder defendant Horacio Ledon reiterated his love for the wife he's accused of slaying but vehemently denied ever intending to kill her while she laid in bed, refusing to see photo exhibits and other evidence while he took the stand in his own defense.

Repeatedly telling Imperial County Deputy District Attorney Marco Nunez that he didn't remember about specific details about what happened the night his wife, Maria, was killed, Ledon, 42, looked down the moment the prosecutor questioned him about the puncture holes found in a blood-stained bed sheet and other case-related evidence.

"I'm not going to see it," Ledon said sheepishly.

Ledon has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in connection with the multiple stabbing death of his wife Maria in their two-bedroom Brawley apartment Nov. 3, 2007. He is currently in custody. Ledon was called to the witness stand by his defense attorney Kenneth Baker, who contends that his client was enraged in the heat of passion and that he is guilty of manslaughter.

The trial resumes Monday at the Imperial County Superior Court in downtown El Centro at 1:30 p.m.

Please read Saturday's issue of the Imperial Valley Press for more information on this story.

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer

Defendant takes the stand in homicide trial

Murder defendant Horacio Ledon took the witness stand in his own defense today and told jurors that his wife's demeanor changed noticeably months before she was brutally slain in their Brawley apartment.

Ledon was called to testify after defense attorney Kenneth Baker said in his opening statement that Maria Ledon, 39, admitted that she was unfaithful to him when the defendant confronted her with his lingering suspicions about her fidelity.

Maria Ledon suffered 29 stab wounds and died in her bedroom. Prosecuting attorney Marco Nunez rested his case Wednesday.

Horacio, 42, has pleaded not guilty to a second-degree murder charge in connection with the fatal stabbing of his wife Maria Ledon. The killing occurred Nov. 3, 2007 in the couple's two-bedroom apartment on North Third Street. Ledon remains in custody. The defense maintains that Ledon acted in the heat of passion and is guilty of manslaughter.

For more information on this story please read Saturday's issue of the Imperial Valley Press.

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer

Attempted kidnapping reported in Imperial

IMPERIAL --- Police received a call Tuesday about an attempted kidnapping of a T.L. Waggoner Elementary School student, an Imperial Police Detective Robert Martinez said today.

No arrests were made during the incident that was reported at about 3 p.m. but the suspect was seen heading east on Joshua Tree Street, according to a report Martinez cited. The suspect was described as a Latino male dressed in a brown T-shirt and tan cargo shorts, Martinez said.

Please read Thursday's issue of the Imperial Valley Press for more information on this story.

By SILVIO J. PANTA, staff writer

Drunk driver suffers major injuries in rollover

A Scottsdale, AZ man suffered major injuries Friday night when he allowed the Toyota Cruiser he was driving to drift into the dirt median and collide with a sign post, causing his vehicle to roll over.

The California Highway Patrol placed 38-year-old Brett Peters under arrest for DUI. Due to the major chest injuries received by Peters, the CHP released him to El Centro Regional Medical Center for treatment.

Peters was then transferred to the University of California in San Diego hospital.

Three-year-old girl drowned in jacuzzi Saturday night

A three-year-old girl drowned in a jacuzzi during a party Saturday night at a house in the 500 block of Sagebrush in Imperial.

There were partygoers outside and around the pool, with children inside the pool, at the time the child drowned, Imperial Police Chief Miguel Colon said.

Colon said the girl's mother found her in the jacuzzi at 9:34 p.m. A partygoer immediately called 911 and first aid was administered to the child before she was transported to El Centro Regional Medical Center.

The girl was pronounced dead at 11 p.m., Colon said.

Colon said his department is in the process of interviewing everyone that was at the party, and that alcohol was being served at the party but it was unknown yet whether that was a factor.

One injured in three-vehicle crash

A young mother was injured Monday morning in a three-vehicle pileup at the intersection of Adams Avenue and Eighth Street in El Centro.

The incident occurred about 8:15 a.m. Monday when the woman driving east on Adams in a gray Jeep Laredo collided with a Border Patrol GM 2500 Heavy Duty truck driving south on Eighth Street.

The collision was hard enough to push in the front end of the truck by several inches. The truck spun nearly 180 degrees, hitting a white Lincoln Town Car that was also traveling south, the driver of the Town Car said.

The driver of the Town Car also said the Jeep Laredo "must've ran a red light" because he and the Border Patrol vehicle had a green light.

The woman driving the Laredo and her passengers, which included a small boy in a car seat, were not seriously injured. The woman was strapped to a headboard while standing and was taken to El Centro Regional Medical Center on a stretcher as a precaution.

— Special Sections Coordinator Jonathan Dale