LAPD Sergeant Arrested After Alleged Hit-and-Run That Killed 19-Year-Old in Tustin
A Los Angeles Police Department sergeant is in custody following a hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of a 19-year-old man in Tustin.
Carlos Gonzalo Coronel, a resident of Buena Park, was booked into the Orange County Jail on Sunday, authorities confirmed.
The fatal incident occurred just before 4 a.m. on Saturday near Nisson Road and Del Amo Avenue. According to Tustin police, Coronel is accused of striking 19-year-old Imanol Salvador Gonzalez of Santa Ana with his vehicle before fleeing the scene.
Responding officers found the victim lying in the roadway, along with debris from what appeared to be a hit-and-run collision. Investigators later identified the suspect vehicle as a black 2021 Chevrolet Silverado crew cab pickup registered to Coronel, leading to his arrest.
Court records indicate that Coronel was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday for a probation violation related to a 2011 DUI conviction. He previously pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs on September 24, 2011. Originally sentenced to 129 hours of community service, Coronel failed to complete his requirements, resulting in his probation being revoked on December 26, 2012.
In response to the arrest, the Los Angeles Police Department issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to integrity, professionalism, and accountability.
“We do not tolerate misconduct of any kind, and any violations of department policies or the public trust are taken seriously,” the statement read. “All allegations of officer misconduct are thoroughly investigated, and appropriate action is taken to ensure accountability. Our commitment is to serve and protect the community with fairness, respect, and transparency.”
As of Tuesday, there were no indications that Coronel’s Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification had been suspended.
