car accident

2 Charged in Death of Man in Santa Fe Springs

The two allegedly chased the victim into the street, assaulted him and left him on the road, where he was struck by a passing vehicle.

Murder charges were filed Friday against two men accused of chasing a man onto a street following an altercation at a Santa Fe Springs bar, then assaulting him and leaving him in the road, where he was struck and killed by a passing motorist.

Anthony Edward Varela, 21, of Montebello and Kyle Michael Mangubat, 21, of Pico Rivera, are scheduled to be arraigned next Friday at the Bellflower courthouse in connection with the death of Ricky Fernando Munoz.

The two men allegedly got into an altercation with the 21-year-old victim at a bar in the 11900 block of Telegraph Road early Wednesday morning, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

Varela and Mangubat allegedly chased Munoz into the street, assaulted him and left him on the road, where he was struck by a passing vehicle. He died at the scene, Whittier police Officer John Scoggins said.

The motorist was interviewed by police, who classified the death as an accident, Scoggins said.

"Investigators developed more information and confirmed there had been an incident at a local restaurant preceding the car accident, which led to the death of the victim," Scoggins said.

"The two suspects are alleged to have been in an altercation with Munoz moments before a passing motorist struck him," Scoggins added. "Investigators tracked down the suspects (Wednesday) evening, where they were arrested and transported to the Whittier Police Department for booking."

Varela and Mangubat were arrested about 5 p.m. Wednesday and are both being held in lieu of $2 million bail, according to jail records.

The two could face up to 15 years to life in state prison if convicted as charged, according to the District Attorney's Office.

Copyright CNS - City News Service
Contact Us