ABC 7 Los Angeles reports that a 23-year-old Glendale man was arrested on felony DUI charges following a fatal crash that was captured on surveillance video Monday night.
According to a statement from the Glendale Police Department, the crash happened at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Monday, January 1st, at the intersection of Elm Avenue and Glenoaks Boulevard.
Police investigators say that a black BMW heading westbound spun out after hitting the center divider and crashed head-on with a white Honda sedan that was heading eastbound.
Emergency crews responded to the accident scene and declared a 70-year-old man who was riding as a passenger in the Honda dead at the scene. The driver of the Honda, also a 70-year-old man, suffered a broken pelvis and a broken leg.
Police have identified the suspect driver of the BMW as Karo Margarian. Margarian suffered injuries and was taken to an area hospital. He was later arrested immediately following his release and booked on felony reckless driving charges. He was later released on bond.
Area residents say that speed and recklessness along that stretch of road has always been problematic.
“Every night, I hear the cars racing down Glenoaks,” one man told ABC. “We call it the Glenoaks Speedway just because it’s an unofficial drag racing strip for kids who just want to drive like idiots.”
Sgt. A. Chacon, a spokesperson for the Glendale Police Department, said that speed was definitely a factor in the fatal crash; however, they expect that Margarian will likely be facing additional felony DUI charges.
