A quiet Wednesday night in Pomona turned into a scene of unimaginable loss when a police pursuit ended in a violent collision, claiming the lives of a young couple and their unborn child. The tragedy has left a community reeling and a family fighting to ensure that every life lost in the wreckage is acknowledged.
Authorities have since charged 31-year-old Marshall Judson with three counts of murder following the Pomona crash involving chase suspect. The victims, identified by the Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office as 25-year-old Jennifer Loera-Zarco and 26-year-old Marc Trejo Saldivar, were described as innocent bystanders caught in the path of a reckless driver fleeing law enforcement.
Ms. Loera-Zarco was eight months pregnant at the time of the crash. For her family, the loss is not merely a double tragedy, but a triple one, as they mourn a daughter, a partner, and a son who was only weeks away from being born.
A Sequence of Violence and Chaos
The events leading to the fatal impact began with a call for service on East 10th Street, where Pomona Police Department officers responded to a report of domestic violence. While officers were actively speaking with the victim of that initial dispute, the situation escalated when the suspect, Marshall Judson, returned to the scene.
According to police, Judson began driving recklessly, eventually intentionally striking a parked patrol car. This initial act of aggression triggered a pursuit through the city streets, which ended abruptly when Judson slammed into a Ford Fusion carrying Loera-Zarco and Saldivar.
The force of the collision left a trail of devastation. Video footage from the scene captured debris scattered across the roadway, including a baby car seat—a poignant reminder of the preparations the couple had made for their impending arrival.
During the subsequent investigation, officers discovered a firearm and various firearm components inside Judson’s vehicle. Authorities also noted that Judson did not possess a valid driver’s license at the time of the incident.
The Human Cost: Mourning Three Lives
In the wake of the crash, the community gathered on Friday night for a somber vigil to honor the victims. The gathering served as both a space for grief and a plea for recognition of the full scale of the loss.
“I just seek people to know that — they keep saying that it was two lives lost but it was three,” Amber Torres, the sister of Jennifer Loera-Zarco, said tearfully. “The baby was his own person. He was almost here. I just want everybody to know that. It wasn’t just two people that died that night, it was three.”
From a clinical perspective, a pregnancy at eight months represents a stage of advanced viability, where the fetus has developed nearly all the necessary systems for survival outside the womb. The sudden, violent termination of such a pregnancy adds a layer of profound medical and emotional trauma to an already devastating event.
To assist the grieving family with the sudden financial burden of three funerals, a GoFundMe page has been established to provide a “beautiful farewell” for Marc, Jennifer, and their baby.
Legal Escalation and Murder Charges
The legal trajectory of the case has shifted significantly since the initial arrest. Judson was first faced with a suite of charges including vehicular manslaughter, felony evasion, driving under the influence, and assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer.
However, prosecutors have since upgraded those charges to three counts of murder. In California, the decision to charge murder in cases involving a fetus often hinges on the intent and the nature of the act that caused the death. By filing three counts, the District Attorney is legally recognizing the unborn child as a distinct victim of the suspect’s actions.
| Initial Charges | Upgraded Charges | Key Evidence Cited |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicular Manslaughter | Three Counts of Murder | Intentional strike of patrol car |
| Felony Evasion | Three Counts of Murder | Reckless driving during pursuit |
| DUI / No Valid License | Three Counts of Murder | Firearm found in vehicle |
The presence of a firearm and the suspect’s decision to intentionally ram a police vehicle prior to the fatal crash likely contributed to the prosecution’s decision to pursue murder charges rather than manslaughter, suggesting a level of “depraved indifference” to human life.
This case highlights the volatile intersection of domestic violence and public safety. What began as a private dispute on East 10th Street rapidly evolved into a public catastrophe, illustrating how quickly domestic instability can spill over into the community with lethal consequences.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal or medical advice.
If you or a loved one has been affected by sudden loss or is struggling with grief, support is available through the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
The legal process for Marshall Judson is ongoing. The next confirmed step will be his upcoming court appearances to enter a plea regarding the murder charges. Updates will be provided as official court filings develop into available.
We invite readers to share their condolences in the comments below or share this story to help the family reach their fundraising goals.
