A security guard authorities allege was intentionally struck by a vehicle last week in Downey died of his injuries Friday morning and the driver accused of hitting him will likely face homicide charges.
The suspect, 28-year-old Hector Jonathan Aceves Vallejo, had been arrested on suspicion of attempted homicide and assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly using a vehicle to strike the victim, identified as Joseph Quintero, about 10:20 p.m. on May 17 outside Gloria’s Cocina Mexicana at 7401 Florence Ave., according to the Downey Police Department.
Officers were sent to the location to investigate a report of an aggravated assault and found the 49-year-old victim suffering from a head wound, according to Downey police Detective Tim Lau.
Quintero was taken to a hospital, where he had been listed in critical condition, Lau said.
Quintero was a Gloria’s security guard who “was alerted to a disturbance inside the restaurant involving the suspect and several females,” Lau said after the alleged attack.
“The victim escorted the suspect outside and asked him to leave. The victim and the suspect became engaged in a verbal altercation in the parking lot,” according to the detective.
Vallejo then entered his vehicle and allegedly struck Quintero, Lau said.
Vallejo turned himself in at the Downey police station and he was arrested May 18 on suspicion of attempted murder, police said.