Staff Reports

WALNUT– Two former Walnut High School students have passed away this month, and one former student is in critical condition.

The first accident occurred around 2:40 p.m. on Jan. 6, in the 20300 block of East Walnut Drive, when Raymon Christopher Beltran, 22, driving a 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse, collided with a tree. He was pronounced dead at the scene.  Speed was cited as a factor in the crash.

The second accident occurred on Jan. 14 at the intersection of South Grand Avenue and East Cortez Street, in an unincorporated area of Los Angeles County near West Covina.  Kristine Salinas, 20, of Walnut, was eastbound on Cortez Street when her 2014 Honda Civic was struck by a 2012 Hyundai that was being driven south on Grand Avenue by 23-year-old Peter Covert of West Covina, according to the CHP. Salinas was pronounced dead at the scene. Jazzlyn Sandoval, 20, was identified as the passenger of this vehicle and is suffering from a broken pelvic bone and a collapsed lung. Covert suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene.  Drugs and alcohol are not suspected to be factors in the collision, according to authorities.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to help with Salinas’ family during this time. Visit https://www.gofundme.com/qcjksdbg if you would like to make a donation