Fatal traffic collision involving a bicyclist – December 13, 2023

NEWS RELEASE

 

DATE:           December 13, 2023

SUBJECT:    Fatal traffic collision involving a bicyclist

LOCATION:  West Fifth Street at South K Street

DRIVER:       Rene Trujillo, Oxnard Resident

VEHICLE:  2003 Ford Taurus

BICYCLIST: Joseph Smart, Oxnard Resident                      

CONTACT:   Alexis Arellano, Traffic Investigator

                    (805) 200-5668 (Mon-Thu 7AM-5PM) | alexis.arellano@oxnardpd.org

On November 5, 2023, at approximately 6:14 p.m., officers from the Oxnard Police Department responded to a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a bicyclist that occurred at the intersection of West Fifth Street and South K Street.  The bicyclist, 84-year-old Joseph Smart, sustained major injuries and was transported to a hospital.  The driver of the vehicle, Rene Trujillo, was uninjured.

Patrol Officers investigated the collision and completed a traffic collision report.  Based on the initial investigation, it was determined that the driver of the Ford Taurus was westbound on Fifth Street and made a left turn at the intersection of South K Street.  During the turn, the vehicle collided with the bicyclist, who had been riding eastbound Fifth Street. 

On December 12, 2023, the Oxnard Police Traffic Unit was notified that Smart had succumbed to his injuries as a result of the collision.   

Patrol Officers did not believe that speed and/or alcohol were contributing factors to the collision.  The investigation is ongoing.  Anyone who has information regarding this collision is urged to contact Traffic Investigator Alexis Arellano at (805)200-5668 or via email at alexis.arellano@oxnardpd.org. 

Officers are on the scene of a serious traffic collision in the southbound lanes of Victoria Avenue near 5th Street. The southbound lanes of Victoria are currently closed between Teal Club and West 5th Street. Motorists are advised to make alternative arrangements for their afternoon commute.

All lanes on Victoria Avenue are now open for travel. 

   NEWS RELEASE

 

DATE:            December 12, 2023

SUBJECT:     Armed Robbery Suspect Arrested on Federal Charges

SUSPECTS:  Oscar Silva, 30-year-old Oxnard resident

LOCATION:   Oxnard, CA

CONTACT:    Jared Schacher, Detective

(805) 385-8287 (Tues-Fri 7:00 AM-5 PM) jared.schacher@Oxnardpd.org

 

In late November 2023, the Oxnard Police Department Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) began investigating a series of armed robberies that occurred at various food stands, a convenience store, and a smoke shop. The investigation revealed that the same suspect was responsible for at least five robberies in the City of Oxnard and additional robberies throughout the county.

 

VCU Investigators identified the suspect as Oscar Silva, a 30-year-old Oxnard resident. On December 7, 2023, Mr. Silva was arrested for an outstanding arrest warrant related to the investigation.

 

The Ventura County Violent Gang Task Force worked with the United States Attorney’s Office and secured a federal arrest warrant for Mr. Silva for violations of Hobbs Act Robbery, a crime that carries a statutory maximum sentence of twenty years. A federal criminal complaint charges Mr. Silva with one count of Hobbs Act Robbery, but the supporting affidavit alleges that Mr. Silva committed a total of five robberies between November 6, 2023, and November 12, 2023, in the cities of Oxnard and Ventura.

 

On December 12, 2023, Mr. Silva was taken into federal custody, and he is scheduled to make his initial appearance in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles this afternoon.

 

A criminal complaint contained allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

 

The Ventura County Violent Crime Task Force is made up of agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Oxnard Police Department, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ventura Police Department.

 

The case against Mr. Silva will be prosecuted by the Violent and Organized Crime Section of the United States Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles. 

The Oxnard Police Department will continue to work with our federal partners on this and future cases in an attempt to deter acts of violence targeting businesses in the city.  

The investigation is ongoing, and no further information is available at this time. If you have any information regarding this case, please contact Detective Jared Schacher at 805-385-7686 or by email at jared.schacher@oxnardpd.org.

Information can be reported online via the Oxnard Police Department’s website: www.oxnard.org, and click on “Report Suspicious Activity.” You can remain anonymous and still provide valuable information by calling Ventura Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. You can also visit this site: www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

NEWS RELEASE

 

DATE:           December 9, 2023

SUBJECT:    Santa to the Sea Half Marathon  

CONTACT:   Mike Gens, Sergeant

                        (805) 385-7847 (Tue-Fri 7AM-5PM) | michael.gens@oxnardpd.org

 

Motorists to expect delays for the 2023 Santa to the Sea Half Marathon

 

The 16^th annual Santa to the Sea Half Marathon is scheduled for this Sunday morning, December 10^th.  The race begins at 7:30 a.m. in front of the Santa on Ventura Boulevard and travels through the City of Oxnard where it concludes at the Marine Emporium Landing located at 3600 South Harbor Boulevard.

 

Officers from the Oxnard Police Department will be handling traffic control along the race course, and motorists should expect significant delays at several intersections throughout the city.  These intersections include:

 

·         Rice Avenue at Sturgis Road

·         Rose Avenue at Camino Del Sol

·         Fifth Street at Hobson Way

·         Ventura Road at Ninth Street

·         Wooley Road at Patterson Road

·         Victoria Avenue at Wooley Road

·         Harbor Boulevard at Wooley Road.

 

Motorists wishing to travel northbound and southbound in the city are encouraged to use Oxnard Boulevard as it will not be affected by the race.  Rice Avenue and Rose Avenue are expected to be re-opened by 9:30 a.m.  All other roadways are expected to be re-opened by 10:30 a.m.

 

For any questions related to the race or the traffic plan for this event, please contact Sergeant Mike Gens at (805)385-7847 or via email at michael.gens@oxnardpd.org.

NEWS RELEASE

 

DATE:           December 8, 2023

SUBJECT:    Winter DUI Enforcement Mobilization  

CONTACT:   Mike Gens, Sergeant

                        (805) 385-7847 (Tue-Fri 7AM-5PM) | michael.gens@oxnardpd.org

 

Make This a Holiday Season to Remember:

Celebrate Responsibly with a “Go Safely” Game Plan

National “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Enforcement Begins Dec. 13

 

The holiday season can be a dangerous time for people on the roads.  In December 2021 alone, 1,013 people were killed in the U.S. in alcohol-impaired driving crashes according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  The Oxnard Police Department wants to remind the public of the dangers of impaired driving and celebrate the holiday season responsibly by not driving under the influence.

 

From December 13 through New Year’s Day, the Oxnard Police Department will have additional officers on patrol looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.  In addition, the Oxnard Police Department will hold a DUI/driver’s license checkpoint on Friday, December 15, 2023, at an undisclosed location within the city.  The checkpoint will be from 7:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.  The high-visibility enforcement effort is part of a national campaign, Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over, with the goal of stopping suspected impaired drivers who put others on the road at risk.

 

The Oxnard Police Department encourages everyone to stay in for the night or have a “go safely” game plan by scheduling a ride or designating a sober driver if you plan to consume alcohol.

 

Impaired driving is not just alcohol.  Marijuana, prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs may also impair.  Do your research and understand how certain drugs may affect your driving ability.

 

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