Motorcyclist shoots, kills 19-year-old driver on 10 Freeway in Covina

COVINA, Calif. (KABC) -- A motorcyclist shot and killed a 19-year-old driver early Saturday on the 10 Freeway in Covina, prompting the hourslong closure of all eastbound lanes, authorities and the victim's family said.

The incident, initially described by the California Highway Patrol as a vehicle-to-vehicle shooting, was reported about 2:15 a.m. near Via Verde Street. A Sigalert was issued and eastbound traffic was being diverted off the freeway at Holt Avenue.

The deceased driver of a white Camaro was identified by his family as Alexander Espino. His cousin, a passenger in the vehicle, was unharmed.

The two cousins were returning from the Los Angeles area and heading toward home in the Inland Empire at the time of the shooting. Espino managed to pull over to the right shoulder and call 911 after being shot, a CHP spokesperson said. He was pronounced dead after emergency responders arrived.

His mother and other grief-stricken family members went to the scene after learning of the shooting.

The gunman remained at large, and was described only as a male wearing black clothing and a black helmet. CHP says the bike was a black Harley-Davidson-style motorcycle.

Investigators say it's possible that the motorcyclist mistakenly targeted the Camaro and confused the occupants with someone else. No altercation was known to have occurred between the motorcyclist and the driver before the shooting, according to the Highway Patrol.

Shortly before 8 a.m., the CHP announced that the Sigalert was canceled and all lanes were reopened.