Authorities are searching for a DUI suspect accused of killing a young girl and her father after crashing into a Long Beach apartment building in 2022.
Octavio Montano Islas, 26, is accused of killing Jose Palacios-Gonzalez, 42, and his 3-year-old daughter, Samantha Palacios, as they slept in their home, according to Long Beach police.
On March 1, 2022, officers responded to a crash at the intersection of Artesia Boulevard and Rose Avenue at around 10 p.m.
Surveillance videos showed the suspect’s vehicle, a 2014 Dodge Ram pickup truck, turning sharply around the corner and speeding down Rose Avenue before slamming into the apartment unit where the victims lived.
Jose was pronounced dead at the scene. Samantha was rushed to the hospital, but later died from her injuries.
The driver, believed to be Islas, fled the scene on foot and has remained on the run since. Detectives believe he was drunk at the time of the crash.
Octavio Montano Islas was identified by police as the suspect in a deadly hit-and-run at a Long Beach apartment building that killed a 3-year-old girl and her father on March 1, 2022. (Long Beach Police Department)
Islas is around 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs about 160 pounds. Police said he has tattoos on his right forearm.
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.
On Aug. 12, 2025, a $20,000 reward was offered by the Los Angeles County Supervisor’s Office for information leading to the Islas’ apprehension and conviction. On Nov. 4, 2025, county officials extended the reward.
“On top of the unimaginable pain of losing a father and his young daughter, Jose and Samantha’s loved ones have had to live with the frustration of knowing who was responsible for their deaths but still being denied justice,” said L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn. “We are asking anyone who may have any information on where Octavio is or where he may have gone to please share it with detectives.”
Anyone with information on the suspect’s whereabouts is urged to call Scott Jenson at Long Beach Police’s Detective Division at 562-570-7218.
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