DUI Accident Kills Mother, Two Daughters
A mother and her two daughters were killed, and several others were injured, as a suspected drunk driver plowed into their vehicle Monday morning in Willowbrook.
The accident was reported at about 7:30 a.m. at the intersection of Mona Boulevard and East 119th Street. According to police on the scene, a suspected drunk driver was speeding down Mona in a white Cadillac when he slammed into a Chevy Tahoe SUV, occupied by 30 year old Lynze Jane Martinez and her family, attempting to make a left turn.
Following the initial impact, the two vehicles carried onto the sidewalk where the Tahoe rolled and came to rest on its side. The driver of the Cadillac, 32 year old Jason Steward of Hawthorne attempted to run from the scene, but was quickly caught and detained by police.
A resident living nearby the accident was awoken by the commotion, and ran to the aid of the Martinez family. “I saw a baby on the floor, already dead,” said Mitzy Rendon. “I tried helping her but I couldn’t do anything. My mom checked the pulse, but she already had died.”
Paramedics arrived at the scene to find Lynze and three others still inside the vehicle, and two of her daughters outside, having been ejected during the crash. 7 year old Brianna was pronounced dead at the scene. 3 year old Loryana was immediately taken to St. Francis Hospital in Lynwood, where she was later pronounced dead.
Lynze was also rushed to a nearby hospital, but was later pronounced dead as well. A 65 year old man, a 24 year old man, and a 1 year old boy were also in the SUV and were taken to the hospital for treatment of minor to moderate injuries. A witness to the accident had pulled the 1 year old boy out of his car seat after the accident.
Paramedics took Steward to Harbor Medical Center for the treatment of a broken ankle, where he was also placed under arrest by California Highway Patrol officers on suspicion of DUI, hit-and-run and gross vehicular manslaughter.
Lynze’s family reported that the family was driving home from a friend’s home, and would have done so the night before but Lynze had had too much to drink. “They made the right decision, but this other guy didn’t,” Said a family member. “Even though they were trying to play it safe, they still got hurt.”
If you or someone you know has been in an accident like this as a result of a drunk driver, you need help right away. The Consumers’ Law Group has what it takes to get you the compensation you rightfully deserve. We are a group of knowledgeable Los Angeles injury attorneys with more than 20 years’ experience handling cases just like yours.
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Reviewed by Chris H. in 2012.