Victim of rock toss released from hospital
CHP continues to search for suspects
The Sacramento resident critically injured by a rock tossed from the Canyon Way overpass on Interstate 80 has been released from the hospital. Jose Palomera, 48, returned to his Sacramento home on Friday. The church pastor was seriously injured early Monday morning when a large rock thrown from the overpass struck his vehicle’s windshield. The small boulder smashed into Palomera’s face crushing his jaw and fracturing several bones in his cheek, reported his 17-year-old daughter, Sarai. He was transported to Sutter Roseville Trauma Center where he underwent surgery to put a metal plate in his jaw, which has been temporarily wired shut. Sarai Palomera said her father “is doing OK. He’s feeling good, hopeful.” She said get well cards can be mailed to him at 4455 49th Street, Sacramento, CA 95820. Palomera has been pastor of First Free Church in Sacramento for 22 years. He is also employed with the railroad contractor Renzenberger and was driving railroad employees from one job to another when the incident happened around 2:30 a.m. Monday. California Highway Patrol officers are continuing their search for the group of four or five individuals, who threw the rocks into the path of westbound and eastbound vehicles. CHP Gold Run Commander Lt. John Arrabit said the agency has received several leads from residents this week. “California Highway Patrol investigators, with the assistance of the Placer County District Attorney’s Office, have interviewed multiple suspects and witnesses,” Arrabit said. He acknowledges the support of the Placer County Sheriff’s Office in collecting and processing evidence. “Within the next few weeks the CHP anticipates completing the investigation and forwarding it to the District Attorney,” he continued. The suspects are facing felony charges, including assault with a deadly weapon. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the CHP Gold Run Area office at (530) 389-2205. Anyonymous tips can be made by calling CrimeStoppers at (800) 923-8191. A $500 reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for this crime.
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Man, I would beat the ever loving sh@# out of whoever did this. And smash their jaws with a stone.
benhur,
It's probably kids who did this. I can understand your response, but I think it may be a bit harsh. A good lashing would be good, but I'd stop short of crushing their jaw with a stone.
I had nearly the same thing happen to me at this exact same overpass about thirty years ago. In my case it wasn't a rock, but a stick of wood, and it was light enough that it didn't travel through the glass. I saw the object coming down at me before it struck, but I still nearly jumped out of my skin when it actually hit the windshield. I also saw the kid who casually tossed it off the bridge.
I feel sorry for Jose Palomera. From the description of his injuries I'd say he's lucky he didn't lose an eye as well as suffer a crushed jaw bone.
Get well soon Mr. Palomera.
benhur- i would help you do it.
The rock tosser is much more of a threat than a drunk driver. If he's got a drivers license...yank it.
Loungelizard, your sense of danger seems a bit twisted.
I like benhur's response. Of course, it's no secret that I believe in capital punishment, so it's not a stretch to apply it in the corporal manner (only in the judicial sense, of course, against violent offenders).
I think the kids (because I assume they were kids) who were doing this need a good dose of mandatory community service in hospitals doing the ugliest jobs for a long time. Additionally, they should be made to make restitution to Mr. Palomera and his family for any loss of income and be responsible all hospital and recurring expenses. Given it was 4 or 5 of them, their wages would only have to be docked for about 3 or 4 years or so to pay it off..... I think felony assault with a deadly weapon in CA is prison time plus fines.
KU: Really?? It comes down to intent to harm...period. This wasn't an accident...a drunk driving accident is an accident. The person or persons were waiting for the vehicle to pass underneath the overpass to cause serious injury or death.
Again, I say the rock thrower off an overpass poses much greater threat to cars than a drunk driver...I'd like to see you dispute that fact.
I'd hold him down for you benhur. It's time we cracked down on these thugs. Heaven help the person who injurs me or my family, or tries to.