A promising young boxer with an impressive record in the ring died Friday in a crash in Palmdale.
Cesar Diaz, 20, of Palmdale, whose family also operates a Sand Canyon-area restaurant, died Friday in a single-car crash on 50th Street East, south of Avenue L, in Palmdale.
His family runs the Pico Rico restaurant on Delone Street, near Sand Canyon Road, in Canyon Country.
The crash happened about 8 p.m., prompting a response by deputies with the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station, Detective Eduardo Saucedo said in a news release issued Friday.
The preliminary facts of this investigation indicate a 20-year-old man was driving a 2016 Honda Accord with a female passenger, Saucedo said prior to the victim’s name being released.
The red Honda Accord was traveling southbound on 50th Street East and for unknown reasons, the driver lost control of his vehicle, according to Saucedo.
“The vehicle drifted onto the opposing traffic lane and into the dirt shoulder,” he wrote in his report. “The red Honda Accord then struck a large tree.
“As a result of the collision the red Honda Accord rolled onto the passenger side ejecting the driver,” he said.
“The driver was pronounced dead at the scene and the female passenger was transported to Antelope Valley Hospital with multiple fractures,” according to the report.
News of the young boxer’s death prompted an outpouring of sympathy over the weekend.
“Everyone at Golden Boy Promotions is heartbroken over the passing of Cesar Diaz over Thanksgiving weekend,” according to a statement from the boxing promoter. “As talented and aggressive as he was in the ring, anyone who met Cesar knew how kind and nice he was outside of it. Our thoughts and prayers are with Cesar’s girlfriend who remains in critical condition and his entire family.”
Diaz, who began boxing at age 9, turned pro in July of last year, having boxed three times in 2016.
He won the 2012 Silver Gloves National Championship, 2015 Adidas National PAL title, the Desert Showdown in 2009, 2013 and 2015, and other tournaments.
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