A registered nurse accused of driving her car through a red light and into several vehicles in a busy intersection in Windsor Hills — allegedly killing an infant, a pregnant woman, her unborn fetus and three other people — will face six counts of murder and five counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, the District Attorney’s Office said on Monday, Aug. 8.
Nicole Lorraine Linton, 37, remained in custody in lieu of $9 million bail at the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood.
“Today, we begin the process of holding accountable the person responsible for the deaths of six people, including a pregnant woman, and their families,” District Attorney Gascón said in a Monday statement.
“This is a case that will always be remembered for the senseless loss of so many innocent lives as they simply went about their daily routines,” he said.
Prosecutors say Linton, who they say is a Houston resident, was behind the wheel of the black Mercedes-Benz seen in surveillance footage speeding into the intersection of Slauson and La Brea avenues at about 1:40 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4, slamming into several cars.
At least cars two burst into flames just a few yards from a gas station’s pumps, California Highway Patrol officials have said.
One witness told Southern California News Group he heard what sounded like a car speeding downhill and then an explosion. Others described flames creating heat so intense would-be good Samaritans and even firefighters were held back for a bit.
Cars ended up strewn about, with bystanders running in all directions.
Besides killing six, the chain-reaction collision involving eight vehicles injured eight.
Coroner’s officials have identified three of the deceased: Alonzo Quintero, 11 months; Asherey Ryan, 23; and the child she was pregnant with, Armani Lester. According to a GoFundMe campaign that had raised more than $140,000, Alonzo was Ryan’s son.
They had been headed to a doctor’s appointment for the yet-born baby, Ryan’s sister has said.
Linton was taken to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center with major injuries, and later arrested by the CHP said.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Source: Orange County Register
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