Authorities continue to search for Octavio Montano Islas, a DUI suspect, who is alleged to have caused the deaths of a father and his young daughter in 2022 by crashing into their apartment in Long Beach. Long Beach police reports state that Islas, aged 26 at the time, is accused of taking the lives of Jose Palacios-Gonzalez, 42, and his 3-year-old daughter, Samantha Palacios.
The incident occurred on the evening of March 1, 2022, near Artesia Boulevard and Rose Avenue where surveillance video caught a 2014 Dodge Ram pickup truck, believed to be driven by Islas, making a brusque turn and speeding along Rose Avenue prior to colliding with the residence of the victims. While Palacios-Gonzalez succumbed to his wounds at the scene, his daughter was transported to a hospital where she eventually passed away.
Following the crash, the suspect evaded capture by fleeing on foot and authorities have not been able to apprehend him since. Law enforcement have reason to believe Islas was intoxicated at the time of the incident. Islas is about 5 feet 8 inches in height, weighs around 160 pounds, and has tattoos on his right forearm.
In relation to the incident, an arrest warrant for Islas was issued, charging him with two counts of felony manslaughter, one count of felony driving under the influence, and one count of felony hit-and-run. A $20,000 reward for any information leading to the apprehension and conviction of Islas was put forth by the Los Angeles County Supervisors Office on August 12, 2025, and extended by county officials on November 4, 2025.
Anyone with information regarding Islas whereabouts is urged to contact Scott Jenson from Long Beach Polices Detective Division at phone number 562-570-7218.
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