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Windsor Hills crash: Arrest made in collision that left 6 dead as first victim is identified
Investigators said that the female driver was going over 100 miles per hour when she plowed into the intersection at the corners of S. La Brea and Slauson avenues causing a fiery multi-car crash that killed six people, including an infant and a pregnant woman.
LOS ANGELES - The female driver behind the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz that plowed into a Windsor Hills intersection, causing a fiery multi-car crash that killed six people, including an infant and a pregnant woman was arrested on Friday, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Criminal charges are pending against 37-year-old Nicole Lorraine Linton. She was being treated at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center for major injuries sustained in the crash, according to the CHP. Charges will be forwarded to the Los Angeles County District Attorney Office for vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence.
Investigators said that the driver was going over 100 miles per hour, in a 35 mph zone, when she plowed into the intersection at the corners of S. La Brea and Slauson avenues around 1:30 p.m. Thursday.
Video from the scene showed the Mercedes-Benz driving at a high rate of speed, running a red light at the intersection and crashing directly into a dark-colored sedan, which in turn struck several other vehicles. The Mercedes-Benz and two other vehicles burst into flames following the collision, and the wreck came to a stop at the southwest corner of the intersection after striking a gas station sign.
"Due to extensive fire damage, it is unknown at this time the make and model of the involved vehicles and which vehicles the involved parties were traveling in," the CHP reported.
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Windsor Hills crash: Mercedes-Benz runs through red light before getting into deadly wreck
Shocking video shows the moments the Mercedes-Benz ran through a red light. The video showed the before and after of the horrific crash that left several people dead, including baby and an unborn child.
Authorities Friday began to identify the victims killed in the crash. The pregnant woman who was killed in the crash was identified Friday by the Los Angeles County coroner's office as Asherey Ryan, 23, of Los Angeles. Her unborn child, listed by the coroner's office as "baby boy Ryan," was also counted among the deceased. Family members told FOX 11 that Ryan's infant son was also killed.
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It was initially believed five people were killed in the horrific crash. However, the CHP reported the sixth death after crews found a body inside one of the burning vehicles, CHP said.
Linton is a traveling nurse at Kaiser Permanente's West Los Angeles Medical Center. Following this week's tragedy, Kaiser Permanente issued the a statement:
"Everyone at Kaiser Permanente is deeply saddened by Thursday’s horrific crash. It’s impossible to imagine the pain those involved are experiencing. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy. At this time, we are not able to comment on what has been reported as a criminal investigation. Any further questions about should be forwarded to law enforcement authorities."
An additional eight people were injured in the crash, including six minors and two adults. All the surviving victims were taken to the hospital, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. They range in age from one to 33-years-old.
On Friday, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón issued the following statement:
"My heart goes out to the families that lost loved ones in the horrific car collision that occurred yesterday in Windsor Hills. This incredible tragedy has sent shockwaves throughout Los Angeles and the loss of so many precious lives will have a lasting impact on those that are closest to them.
Our office is in close contact with the lead law enforcement agency investigating. A prosecutor has already been assigned and will be working with law enforcement throughout the weekend. We will provide updates as more information becomes available. The case could be presented to us as early as Monday."