Pasadena Man Arrested, Accused of Murder in Connection With Violent Crash

Police arrested a man Wednesday on suspicion of murder in connection with a violent, high-speed crash in Pasadena in December that left another driver dead, authorities said.

Investigators found and arrested Anthony Marcus Houston, 36, in Ontario late Wednesday morning, Pasadena police Lt. Anthony Russo said.

He was being sought on a warrant issued last month accusing him of murder and reckless driving for a Dec. 8 crash at Fair Oaks Avenue and Glenarm Street that claimed the life of Juanita Lucinda Johnson, 49, of Pasadena, according to police and Los Angles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner officials.

Houston was at the wheel of an Audi S5 about 8:30 p.m. when he blew through a red light at more than twice the posted speed limit and T-boned a Kia Optima, Russo said.

Johnson was killed in the collision, police said. A man, a woman and an 18-year-old girl riding as passengers in the Kia suffered moderate injuries, officials said.

Houston, himself, was hospitalized with injuries including a broken leg as the Pasadena Police Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team conducted an extensive investigation into the crash, according to Russo.

Prosecutors filed charges of murder and reckless driving against Houston on Feb. 16, police said in a written statement. An arrest warrant was issued.

Prosecutors determined that based on the high speed and reckless behavior displayed by Houston, a murder charge was appropriate, Russo said.

While Houston was still being sought, he was involved in another alleged crime on March 6 at a home in the 300 block of North Raymond Ave., authorities said.

“During that investigation, officers learned two adult victims were physically assaulted and their lives were threatened,” the statement said. “The suspect in the assault was identified by the victims as Anthony Houston.”

The Pasadena Police Department’s Criminal Intelligence Violent Crimes Unit tracked Houston down in Ontario on Wednesday, officials said.

Houston was also facing a charge of violating the terms of Post-Release Community Supervision, or felony probation, stemming from a prior conviction, records show.

He was expected to face charges including assault and making criminal threats in connection with the March 6 incident, police added.

According to Los Angeles County Superior Court records, Houston has a lengthy criminal history dating back to age 18.

Convictions in the county include domestic assault in 2017, violating a court order in 2016, vandalism in 2016, hit-and-run in 2015, two counts of robbery and one count of attempted robbery in 2005 as well as burglary in 2002.

Any witnesses, or anyone with information, was urged to contact Pasadena police at (626) 744-4501. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

Related:

Woman Killed, 4 Others Hurt in 2-Car Crash in Pasadena