UPDATE | The wrong-way driver in last Saturday’s fatal Gerald Desmond Bridge collision that killed a 30-year-old San Pedro man was driving without a license, Long Beach police officials confirmed today.
An independent records search by the Post also revealed Alvin Ray Shaw, 28, was arrested in 2014. Records state he was arrested at 4:01AM on January 4, 2014, booked at 7:08AM and released 1:37PM the same day.
According to Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) spokeswoman Megan Zabel, Shaw was booked for vehicular manslaughter and had an outstanding warrant for driving with a suspended license.
Zabel said Shaw was released from custody Wednesday, with charges pending further investigation.
The vehicle Shaw was driving, a 2012 Mercedes-Benz, is believed to be the same vehicle that was crashing through barricades around the Special Olympics World Games events in Long Beach, authorities said.
Police are looking into the involvement of drugs and alcohol in the collision.
City News Service contributed to this report
This story was updated on 08/6/2015 at 3:43PM with information related to Shaw’s previous arrest.
PREVIOUSLY: Deceased Victim in Saturday’s Gerald Desmond Bridge Fatal Collision in Long Beach Identified
08/06/15 at 4:23PM | Authorities have identified the deceased victim of the fatal three-vehicle collision that occurred Saturday as Miguel Gonzalez, a 30-year-old San Pedro resident and employee of The Queen Mary, according to friends.
Chief Ed Winter of the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office confirmed that Gonzalez was the deceased victim. Gonzalez’s remains were burned to a degree that the office consulted dental records to definitively determine his identity.
On Saturday, August 1 at approximately 7:11AM, Long Beach Police responded to the eastbound lanes of the Gerald Desmond Bridge at its crest, regarding a three-vehicle traffic collision involving a wrong-way driver, which resulted in Gonzalez’s death.
According to Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) spokeswoman Marlene Arroya, the wrong-way driver who caused the collision, Alvin Ray Shaw, remains hospitalized.
Kris Baum, the manager of the engineering department at The Queen Mary, was Gonzalez’s manager and described him as “very well-liked” on The Queen Mary. He said Gonzalez “always greeted people with a smile.”
Baum described the news of Gonzalez’s death as “devastating.”
Gonzalez is survived by two children, his mother, father, and three brothers, according to Baum.
Above left: Miguel Gonzalez on a fishing trip. Photo courtesy of Kris Baum.
PREVIOUSLY: Three-Vehicle Collision on Long Beach’s Gerald Desmond Bridge Results in Traffic Fatality
08/03/15 at 10:34AM | According to the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD), on Saturday, August 1 at approximately 7:11AM, Long Beach Police responded to the eastbound lanes of the Gerald Desmond Bridge at its crest, regarding a three-vehicle traffic collision involving a wrong-way driver, which resulted in a traffic fatality.
A release stated that earlier that morning, officers observed a vehicle driving erratically and crashing through barricades in the area of the Special Olympics events. Officers attempted to follow the vehicle through the downtown Long Beach Bicycle Path after it struck numerous objects, but lost sight of the vehicle.
Officers were directed toward the Gerald Desmond Bridge by witnesses regarding a traffic collision involving multiple vehicles. Officers arrived to the scene, where two vehicles were on fire. They attempted to rescue the drivers. Despite the officers’ attempt to save the lives of those involved, one driver succumbed to his to injuries and was determined deceased at the scene.
One officer sustained minor injuries to his arm during his attempt to extricate the driver and was transported to a local hospital where he was treated and released.
Long Beach Fire Department personnel provided medical aid, rescue and fire suppression services at the scene and transported the two remaining drivers in critical condition to local hospitals.
According to the release, the preliminary investigation revealed that a 2012 Mercedes Benz being driven by Alvin Ray Shaw, a 28-year-old resident of Hawthorne, CA entered the eastbound lanes of Ocean Boulevard at Golden Shore traveling westbound toward the Gerald Desmond Bridge against traffic.
At the crest point of the bridge, the Mercedes collided with a 2014 Ford Fusion, driven by a 21-year-old resident of San Pedro, and a 2010 Nissan Pickup Truck. Both were heading eastbound in the eastbound lanes of the Gerald Desmond Bridge. The collision caused the Mercedes Benz and the Nissan truck to catch fire.
The Mercedes appears to be the same vehicle seen driving erratically and through barricades earlier, the LBPD stated.
The deceased male driver of the 2010 Nissan truck is not being identified at this time. The Los Angeles County Coroner will make positive identification and notify next of kin.
It is unknown, at this time, if alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in the collision.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call LBPD Collision Investigation Detail Detective Sirilo Garcia at 562.570.7355. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call 1.800.222.TIPS (8477), or text TIPLA plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), or visit the LA Crime Stoppers site, here.