Candlelight Vigil Held for Mother & Daughter Killed in Suspected DUI Crash

The Whittier Daily News reports that on Sunday, January 9, 2022, a candlelight vigil was held for a mother and daughter who were killed in a crash in Norwalk a week ago.

More than 100 people within the community attended the vigil honoring the 50-year-old mother and her 13-year-old daughter held at Grace Brethren Church.

Authorities say that the fatal crash happe3ned at the intersection of Studebaker and Foster Roads when the driver of a Dodge Challenger failed to stop at a red light and broadsided their Chevrolet Camaro at a high rate of speed.

Paramedics rushed both mother and daughter to an area hospital for treatment. Despite all life-saving efforts made by doctors, both died due to injuries they suffered in the crash.

Police have arrested 26-year-old Brittany Lopez of Las Vegas on two counts of suspicion of DUI manslaughter and driving without a license. After investigating the fatal crash scene, officials suspect that Lopez was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, possibly both. 

Lopez was released on $50,000 bail. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office has not formally charged Lopez and has asked the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and local law enforcement officials to continue their investigation before moving forward with charges against Lopez.

Lt. Brian Sanford with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department told reporters that prosecutors are awaiting the final results of a toxicology report. Home security video footage of the crash has been posted on YouTube.

An eyewitness of the crash who also is related to the victims told investigators he had seen far too many accidents at the intersection. He believes that greater enforcement, including DUI checkpoints in the area, might prevent such tragedies from happening in the future.

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