Long Beach
Police Department

Collision Investigation detectives are investigating a traffic collision which occurred on Jan. 21, 2024, which resulted in the death of two male adults.

At approximately 6:22 p.m., officers responded to the area of Studebaker Road and Loynes Drive regarding a single vehicle collision. The initial information provided to emergency responders was that a vehicle had collided with a bridge support, caught fire, and went into the Los Cerritos Channel.

Long Beach Police Department, Long Beach Fire Department, Long Beach Lifeguards, and Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel responded to the scene. Long Beach Fire Department divers located the vehicle submerged in water.

Fire Department divers were able to rescue the driver from the submerged vehicle. He was transported to a local hospital where he was later determined deceased. Divers also located a passenger who was determined deceased at the scene.

The preliminary investigation revealed a 2004 GMC Yukon was traveling northbound on Studebaker Road at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was weaving in and out of traffic and it appeared the driver lost control. The vehicle collided with a section of the bridge spanning the Los Cerritos Channel, caught fire, and went into the water.

Their identities are being withheld pending notification of the next of kin by the Los Angeles County Department of the Medical Examiner.

At this time, speed, reckless driving, and impaired driving are being investigated as possible factors in the collision.

Anyone who may have witnessed this collision is asked to contact LBPD Collision Investigation Detail Detective Joseph Johnson at (562) 570-7355. Anonymous tips may be submitted through "LA Crime Stoppers" by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the "P3 TIPS" app to your smartphone (available at the Apple App store and Google Play), or visiting www.LACrimeStoppers.org.