News Release: Serious Injury Traffic Collision Involving a Vehicle and Bicyclist

NEWS RELEASE —

DATE:           August 22, 2024

SUBJECT:   Serious Injury Traffic Collision Involving a Vehicle and Bicyclist

LOCATION:   Gonzales Road at Outlet Center Drive, Oxnard

DRIVER: 33-year-old female resident of Ventura

VEHICLE: 2021 Hyundai Sonata  

BICYCLIST: 34-year-old male resident of Oxnard     

CONTACT: Officer Raul Camacho

(805) 385-7749 (Tue-Fri 7AM-5PM) I [email protected]

On August 22, 2024, at approximately 7:05 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department and EMS personnel responded to an injury traffic collision involving a vehicle and bicyclist at the intersection of Gonzales Road and Outlet Center Drive. 

Upon arrival, officers located a male subject lying in the roadway of Gonzales Road, east of Outlet Center Drive. A damaged bicycle was located on the center median of Gonzales Road. EMS rendered medical aid to the bicyclist, and transported him to the Ventura County Medical Center where he is listed in critical condition. Traffic Investigators responded to take over the investigation.

Preliminary investigation revealed a 2021 Hyundai Sonata was traveling westbound Gonzales Road approaching the intersection of Outlet Center Drive. The bicyclist was riding southbound through the parking lot of the 7-11 convenience store located at 2201 E. Gonzales Road. The bicyclist entered Gonzales Road and was struck by the Hyundai. The driver of the Hyundai stopped, remained on scene, and cooperated with the investigation. The investigation is ongoing. 

Anyone who has information regarding this collision is urged to contact Officer Raul Camacho at (805) 385-7749 or via email at [email protected]. Also, anyone with information regarding this case can contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600.

If the inquiry is outside of the Investigator’s standard business hours, we encourage the use of the Investigator’s email. We have found that an email message with a callback request is a more effective way to reach the Investigator. Our watch commanders will continue to speak to those incidents that center around field operations, and still can be reached at (805) 385-7746 or (805) 385-7778.

NEWS RELEASE

DATE: August 20, 2024
SUBJECT: Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Enforcement
CONTACT: Mike Gens, Sergeant
(805) 385-7847 (Tue-Fri 7AM-5PM) | [email protected]

Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operation Planned for August 22, 2024

Oxnard, Calif. – The Oxnard Police Department will conduct a traffic safety operation on August 22, 2024 between 7:00 A.M. and 11:00 A.M. focused on the most dangerous driver behaviors that put the safety of people biking or walking at risk.

These violations include speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield or provide the right- of-way to bicyclists or pedestrians, or failing to stop for signs and signals.

The Oxnard Police Department offers steps drivers and pedestrians can take to greatly reduce the risk of getting injured or killed in a crash:

Pedestrians:
Be predictable. Use crosswalks when available.
Take notice of approaching vehicles and practice due care.
Do not walk or run into the path of a vehicle. At 30 mph, a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop.
Be visible. Make it easy for drivers to see you – wear light colors, reflective material and carry a flashlight, particularly at dawn, dusk or at night.
Be extra careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night when it is harder to see, or when crossing busier streets with more lanes and higher speed limits.

Drivers:
Do not speed, and slow down at intersections. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks, and between intersections where pedestrians may cross.
Avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to make a right-hand turn.
Never drive impaired.

Bicyclists:
Obey traffic laws, use hand signals, use lights at night (front white light and rear red reflector), and wear a helmet.
Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle.
Avoid the door zone: do not ride too closely to parked cars.
If there’s a bike lane, use it, unless making a left turn, passing, or approaching a place where a right turn is allowed.
Yield to pedestrians. Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians with marked crosswalks or within unmarked crosswalks at intersections, and between intersections where pedestrians may cross.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

DATE: August 16th, 2024 / 10:04 p.m. 

SUBJECT: Felon Arrested for Possession of Firearm

SUSPECT:   Jorge Ortiz, 37-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION: 100 Block of North Rose Ave.

CONTACT:   Bakari Myers, Sergeant

                      (805) 797-6202 | [email protected]

On August 16th, at approximately 10:04 PM, officers from the Oxnard Special Enforcement Unit (Gang Unit) observed a subject who matched the description of a brandishing of a knife that had just occurred. The subject, Jorge Ortiz, a documented Colonia Chiques Gang member, attempted to run from officers but was eventually detained pursuant to the investigation. Officers located a 9 millimeter P80 ghost gun in the direct path that Ortiz fled. Ortiz was arrested for numerous felony charges including felon in possession of a firearm.

Polymer 80 semi-automatic handguns are sold commercially as incomplete, without serial numbers, and must be further manufactured to make them into functioning firearms. 

The Oxnard Police Department’s Special Enforcement Unit is committed to reducing gang crimes and gun violence in the City of Oxnard through the strict enforcement of laws specifically targeting known, active gang members residing in the city.  Anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website:  www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on Report Suspicious Activity.   You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so.  You can remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.  

DATE: August 14, 2024 (5:56 p.m.) 

SUBJECT: Post Release Offender Arrested for Firearm and Narcotics Violations

SUSPECTS:  Federico Zapien, 32-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION:  Yucca St. at B St., Oxnard

CONTACT:   Bakari Myers, Sergeant

                      (805) 797-6202 | [email protected]

On August 14th, at approximately 5:56 p.m., investigators from the Drug Enforcement Unit, Violent Crimes Unit, and officers from the Special Enforcement Unit were conducting enforcement efforts in South Oxnard.  Officers observed Federico Zapien in the area of Yucca and B St.  

Officers had prior knowledge that Zapien is on Post Release Offender Supervision, (PROS), for firearm violations, and is a documented criminal street gang member. The Post Release Offender Program, created by Assembly Bill 109 – the 2011 Public Safety Realignment – mandates that individuals sentenced to non-violent, non-serious (irrespective of priors) or non-sex offenses will serve their sentences in county jails instead of state prison. The public should be aware that release under AB 109 is based on the offender’s most recent committing offense. Prior convictions are not considered.

Officers confirmed Zapien’s probation and attempted to make contact with Zapien to see if he was in violation of his court ordered terms.  As officers attempted to make contact with Zapien, Zapien attempted to pull away from officers and reached toward the area of his waistband.  Officers took Zapien to the ground.  While on the ground, Zapien continued to reach toward the area of his waistband but was ultimately taken into custody.  Once Zapien was handcuffed, officers located a loaded semi-automatic handgun concealed on Zapien’s person.  

Zapien is a prohibited person due to his prior felony convictions.  Zapien was arrested for illegally possessing the firearm and for resisting arrest.  Officers continued to search Zapien and located methamphetamine on his person.  Zapien was subsequently charged with possessing narcotics while armed. 

The Oxnard Police Department is committed to reducing gang crimes and gun violence in the City of Oxnard through the strict enforcement of laws specifically targeting known, active gang members residing in the city.  Anyone with information regarding this case or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Oxnard Police Department at (805) 385-7600, or online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website:  www.oxnardpd.org, and clicking on Report Suspicious Activity.   You can remain anonymous if you choose to do so.  You can remain anonymous by calling the Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.