Man, 49, Crushed To Death By Falling Tree In East LA
EAST LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A 49-year-old man was crushed to death Saturday by a falling tree top in East L.A.
Authorities are unsure what caused the tree to fall around 8:30 a.m. near Dozier Street and Gage Avenue, according to the L.A. County Fire Department.
Neighbors identified the deceased as Tony Calderon.
A witness say Calderon was talking to his neighbor, whose property the tree was on, moments before it fell.
It's estimated the tree top weighed as much as 2,000 pounds.
Calderon was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the fire department.
Neighbors told CBS2's Joy Benedict that Calderon was a "beloved" member of his community.
Calderon was killed just feet from his front door.
The victim's brother, Peter Gonzalez, said "He talked to everybody, he knew everybody. He's going to be missed."
Neighbor Rose Cordova said, "There was like a big rumble, and then noise and then a bunch of dust. I couldn't see him no more."
Her son owns the home where the palm is located.
"I've always worried about those trees but I don't have the money to cut them down," Cordova said. "But this is the last thing I would think would happen."
It took crews more than an hour and a half to reach Calderon's body.
Neighbors tried to rescue Calderon but first responders held them back.
Scott Miller of the LA County Fire Department explained that with power lines in the way, the last thing they wanted to see was more victims.
Crews were called to repair the downed power lines.
