Alberto Castaneda: California grandfather, 72, fatally struck by stolen vehicle in which suspects allegedly huffed helium or nitrous oxide
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: A local report stated that last week, a grandfather from California was killed by a stolen car in which the suspects were purportedly inhaling nitrous oxide or helium.
Around 6.30 pm, a speeding car struck 72-year-old Alberto Castaneda as he was crossing a street in Los Angeles, knocking him to the ground.
Witnesses reported two women and four men getting out of the car
Castaneda's daughter Martha Correa claimed, “According to the police report, it was a stolen vehicle. The driver and the passengers were using a tank, using helium to drug themselves, and then they caused this accident, and they run away."
The suspects remain on the loose. Castaneda was traveling home from his job as a sewing machine operator when the suspects ran a red light and collided with an oncoming car, according to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), who made the announcement to the station.
Correa claimed to NBC4 News that the car had dragged her father several yards.
“My dad was dragged all the way over there because the car spun,” she stated.
Although the suspects' description has not yet been made public by the LAPD, multiple witnesses reported seeing two women and four men get out of the car after the collision.
Suspects were carrying helium tank and balloon to inhale nitrous oxide
They allegedly packed up their possessions from the car and left the area. According to the police report, the car was an Infiniti sedan that had been stolen from Uphill on December 26.
A witness sent KTLA a picture of a suspect clutching a balloon that's usually used to inhale nitrous oxide.
“They were carrying a helium tank,” Correa said. “They were using this while driving.” Correa claimed that her father was a Mexican immigrant who had inspired many people.
“He came to this country, and he worked his whole life,” she said. “He lived a quiet life, and I know that he was taken [at a time] when he was the most happy.”
Correa said law enforcement must put in more effort in order to lower crime in the area. She declared, "We need to make sure that there are heavier laws, heavier sentences for people who are doing these types of crimes."
A spouse, five children, eight grandchildren, and one great-grandchild comprised Castaneda's family. The family has established a GoFundMe page in order to collect money for burial costs.
