Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Missing UC Berkeley Student Killed Trying To Cross 10 Freeway
A UC Berkeley who mysteriously went missing during a party at a USC frat over the weekend was killed on the 10 freeway not long after the party, authorities say.Elio Vasquez, 19, was last seen at a party in the 600 block of West 28th Street around 1:30 a.m. early on Saturday. He called a friend around 2:15 a.m. saying that he was lost and scared. CHP officials told the Los Angeles Times that they have identified Vasquez as a man who tried running across the eastbound lanes of the 10 freeway east near Vermont Avenue not long after that call—just before 2:30 a.m.
CHP Officer Ramberto Salcido says a car driving 60 mph in the No. 4 lane hit him. Salcido says, "He was unable to avoid the pedestrian."
He was pronounced dead at the scene that was about a mile from the party. He had no money or identification on him, which he left at the party. His family was notified earlier this morning.
Vazquez, a soccer player at UC Berkeley, came down to Los Angeles for spring break with some friends and he was unfamiliar with the area. When he left the party, he said only that he wanted to go on a walk and go to the beach. Family from his native Berkeley came down to help out with a search and even upped a reward to $100,000 to help find Vazquez. They said it was unusual that he would disappear like that.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance. -
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
Best of LAist