Death of Artesia Man in Nov. 27 Cerritos Collision Marks City’s First Traffic Fatality This Year

Traffic investigators will return to the scene of a deadly traffic collision in Cerritos today to collect additional evidence in determining who was at fault in the Thanksgiving weekend accident that claimed the life of a 30-year-old Artesia man --  the city’s first traffic-related death this year.

The accident occurred about 9:25 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 27 at the intersection of Norwalk Boulevard and 166th Street, said Lt. Richard Harpham of the .

According to the primary investigation, a man in an early 1990s Toyota Paseo was headed south on Norwalk Boulevard when he crossed the intersection and struck a Jeep SUV traveling east on 166th Street. Because the Toyota is a lower profile vehicle, it broadsided the SUV, causing it to rollover, said sheriff’s Det. Tim Britt.

The man in the Toyota was immediately transported to La Palma Intercommunity Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries about 10:15 a.m., he said. The victim was later identified by the Orange County coroner's office as Andrew Figueroa, 30, of Artesia.

The two individuals riding in the overturned SUV suffered only minor injuries, the detective added.

Investigation Continues Into Who Blew Through Red Light

“One of the parties ran a red light,” Britt said, adding that they were still trying to determine which party was at fault in the crash.

Britt said investigators planned to return to the scene of the crash today (Thursday, Dec. 8) to take “additional measurements.”

“It does not look like speed was the primary cause, but we’re still investigating the accident, and at this point, we don’t know for sure,” he said.

The Victim Was Only Partially Wearing Seatbelt

Britt did say however that it appears the deceased victim may have only been partially wearing his seatbelt.

“The lap belt may not have been worn at the time, which may be a crucial thing here,” he explained. “It’s an older car, so the seatbelts have two separate restraint systems.”

Marks First Traffic-Related Death in Cerritos in 2011

Of the 598 traffic collisions that occurred on city streets through the end of October, 168 of those accidents resulted in injuries, according to the Cerritos Sheriff’s Station’s Nov. 8 “Traffic Report” discussed during the Nov. 16 Community Safety meeting.

Figueroa’s death is the city's first traffic-related fatality this year, Britt said.

“We were hoping to get through the year without having one, unfortunately, it didn’t work out that way.”