January 15, 2025

Octavio Montano Islas is suspected of crashing into apartment building killing Jose Palacios-Gonzalez and three year-old Samantha Palacios

Octavio Montano Islas. Courtesy: LBPD

Los Angeles, CA – This week the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Janice Hahn to reestablish the County’s $10,000 reward in exchange for information leading to the apprehension and conviction of 24 year-old Octavio Montano Islas, who was identified as the drunk driver responsible for the deaths of 42-year-old Jose Palacios-Gonzalez and his three-year-old daughter Samantha Palacios as they slept in their North Long Beach apartment.

Around 10pm on March 1, 2022, Long Beach Police Department officers responded to a collision of a vehicle into an apartment building near the intersection of Artesia Boulevard and Rose Avenue. Jose Palacios-Gonzalez was declared deceased at the scene, while Samantha was rushed to a local hospital but later succumbed to her injuries. LBPD detectives identified the driver, who fled the scene, as Montano Islas.

“Samantha had an entire life ahead of her until Octavio Montano Islas viciously cut it short. I can’t imagine the pain and anguish that Samantha and Jose’s family have felt since this loss, but we’re committed to bringing the man responsible for it to justice,” said Hahn. “If you know where Octavio is or where he might have gone, please share that information with detectives.”
The vehicle that Montano Islas was driving was a 2014 Dodge Ram. Detectives believe Montano Islas was drunk at the time of the crash. An arrest warrant was issued for him on two counts of felony manslaughter, one count of felony driving under the influence, and one count of felony hit and run.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Scott Jenson of the Long Beach Police Department Detective Division at (562) 570-7218.

Full-size image of Montano Islas available here