Authorities Name Pasadena Woman Who Died in Single Vehicle Collision Saturday

A 52-year-old Pasadena woman died Saturday after the vehicle she was riding in struck a pole as it was travelling east between Rosemont Avenue and Lincoln Avenue.

A Pasadena Police Department press release said the single vehicle collision involved a red 2007 Ford Edge which struck the pole in the 900 block of Seco Street. Police said officers and fire department personnel responded to a report about a vehicle fire, and found the driver was not injured. The lone passenger, however, sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local area hospital.

The woman, identified as Maria Luciana Gomez, was pronounced dead at 6:25 a.m., according to Ed Winter, Assistant Chief with the Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner.

Police identified the driver as Javier Placensia, Jr., a 38-year-old Pasadena resident, who was arrested for gross vehicular manslaughter. He was booked at the Pasadena City Jail and is being held on $50,000 bail.

The press release said alcohol could be a related factor in the collision, adding the police department’s Major Accident Investigation Team is investigating the collision.

Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or has information regarding the incident is advised to call Traffic Section Lt. Diego Torres at (626) 744-7159 or the Watch Commander at (626) 744-4620.