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ANAHEIM, Calif. (October 9, 2024) – Anaheim Police Department investigates a fatal traffic collision involving a pedestrian.
On October 8, 2024, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Anaheim Police officers and Anaheim Fire & Rescue personnel responded to the area of Wagner Ave and Rio Vista St for a single-vehicle traffic collision. The preliminary investigation indicated that a silver Mercedes sedan was traveling at a high rate of speed eastbound on Wagner Avenue. The driver failed to negotiate a 90-degree left turn onto Rio Vista St and went off the road, through a greenbelt, and into a riverbed. When officers arrived, they located two subjects nearby who were believed to be inside the vehicle during the collision. Both occupants were transported to the hospital with minor injuries.
During the investigation, a male resident who lived in the area contacted the officers and reported that his wife went for a walk on the greenbelt but had not returned home. Officers searched the greenbelt with the assistance of the Anaheim Police Air Support helicopter. Tragically, they located a female who was deceased in the dense brush near the traffic collision. Based on the circumstances, it is believed she was struck by the vehicle as it went off the road and that she was the wife of the man who reported her missing from her walk.
The driver of the Mercedes was identified as Raymundo Rangel, a 33-year-old resident of Santa Ana. It is believed alcohol was a contributing factor to the collision. Mr. Rangel is currently in custody for gross vehicular manslaughter and felony DUI.
The intersection of Wagner Ave and Rio Vista St was shut down for several hours. Anaheim Fire and Rescue’s Urban Search and Rescue team responded to recover the victim’s body. Traffic investigators are asking anyone with information about this incident to contact the Anaheim Police Department at 714-765-1900.
