Passenger killed in Alhambra pursuit crash identified as 42-year-old Gabriela Moreno
The woman who was killed in a pursuit crash, which also claimed the life of an Alhambra police officer , has been identified.
Gabriela Moreno, 42, died in the Thursday morning collision after being thrown from the stolen vehicle she was in. Officer Alec Sanders, 28, also died.
The collision happened near Valley Boulevard and Edgewood Drive around 3 a.m.
A suspect was driving a stolen Hyundai SUV northbound through the intersection when the car collided with Sanders' patrol vehicle, which was going westbound on Valley Boulevard, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Authorities identified the driver of the Hyundai as 27-year-old El Monte resident Steven Zapata. He was taken to a hospital with moderate injuries.
Zapata was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder and will be booked once he's medically cleared, CHP said.
Two other people were inside the suspect vehicle, including Moreno, who died at the scene after she was ejected from the Hyundai. A 52-year-old man was hospitalized with injuries considered not life threatening.
Officer Sanders had joined the Alhambra Police Department about eight months ago. He went to work Wednesday night to cover a shift for somebody else.
He is survived by his fiancée, two younger sisters and a brother, and would be "remembered for his dedication, his kindness and positive impact he had on everyone."
