Roundup: Authorities release names in four fatal incidents across Ventura County
Man in fatal Oxnard stabbing ID'd
Authorities identified the man killed in an apparent fight Monday in downtown Oxnard.
Mario Valles Estrada, 50, died from a stab wound of the back, according to an email Wednesday from the Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office. His death is at least the ninth homicide in the city this year.
The Oxnard Police Department was called about a fight shortly before 2:50 p.m. Monday in the 500 block of South C Street, near Plaza Park. Officers arrived to find Valles Estrada, who has since been described by police as homeless, with multiple stab wounds.
Emergency medical personnel tried to treat the man at the scene. He was later taken to Ventura County Medical Center where he died, Oxnard police said.
Sgt. Edgar Fernandez, with the department's major crimes unit, said Wednesday that no arrests had yet been made in the death but officers know the names of the parties. He said investigators believe Valles Estrada knew the perpetrator, and officers are trying to understand the role each played in the deadly fight.
"We currently do not feel there's any threat to the community," he said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Kaya Boysan 805-385-7645. The city offers a reward of $25,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any individuals responsible for committing homicides within the city.
Authorities identify man killed in Highway 126 crash
A 27-year-old Santa Paula man was identified as the driver in a deadly crash early Christmas morning as he made his way onto an on-ramp to eastbound Highway 126 in Ventura.
Steven Martinez died in the single-vehicle crash, the Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office said Wednesday in an email. He died from blunt-force head injuries suffered in the accident Sunday, according to the agency.
Martinez had been driving a pickup truck when the crash was reported around 3:45 a.m. on the ramp from northbound Wells Road, according to the California Highway Patrol.
For unknown reasons, the truck went off the road, hit a tree and erupted into flames. The vehicle reportedly was found overturned into the dirt. City of Ventura firefighters and police responded along with ambulance crews. Martinez died at the scene.
The accident is under investigation by the CHP's Ventura office. Witnesses are asked to call the agency at 805-662-2640.
Officials name man who died in Oxnard fire
Authorities identified the 34-year-old man who died in an Oxnard house fire on Christmas Day.
Sebastian Solis, of Oxnard, died from smoke inhalation and burns in the blaze in the 1400 block of West Guava Street in Oxnard, according to the Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office. The agency also said in an email Wednesday his death was deemed accidental.
Another adult and two children were also injured in the fire that broke out around 3 a.m. Sunday in a studio-style granny flat behind the main house, Oxnard Fire Department officials said at the time.
The three survivors were initially taken to local hospitals but later transported to burn units in Los Angeles County. The woman and a 7-year-old girl were reportedly taken to the Torrance Memorial Burn Center. A 14-year-old boy was taken to the burn unit at LAC+USC Medical Center.
Fire investigators determined the preliminary cause as candles either left unattended or still lit while the occupants were sleeping, Battalion Chief Michael McCaslin said.
The unit had no working smoke detector, he said. The space measured about 1,200 square feet or less with no interior walls.
Man killed in crash east of Simi named
The Simi Valley man who died in a crash Sunday night on the Santa Susana Pass Road was named by authorities.
Coldren Kiblinger, 23, suffered blunt-force head injuries in the accident, according to the Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office. He was a passenger in the car that went off the road east of Simi Valley around 6:30 p.m. Sunday. The area is in hilly terrain near the east edge of Ventura County.
California Highway Patrol officials said in a news release a 38-year-old Simi Valley man was driving a maroon 2018 Chevrolet Corvette eastbound on Santa Susana Pass Road. Kiblinger was a passenger in the front seat.
For unknown reasons, the Corvette went off the road and down an embankment, coming to rest about 150 to 200 feet north of the road, officials said Monday.
A helicopter from the Los Angeles Fire Department ultimately flew the driver to Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Los Angeles. He suffered major injuries, CHP officials said. The incident shut Santa Susana Pass Road for more than five hours between Box Canyon and Rocky Peak roads.
The driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI, the CHP said Monday, and was released to the hospital for treatment. The Star generally does not name suspects until they have been formally charged by the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.
Any witnesses who haven't already provided statements are asked to call the CHP's Moorpark office at 805-553-0800.
This story may be updated.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Roundup: Authorities release names in 4 fatal incidents in county
