Teen Girl Pronounced Brain Dead After Struck by Car, Twin Sister in Critical Condition
Twin sisters Leilani and Luana Fukui were struck by a car while walking on a crosswalk near Gladstone High School in Covina on Monday morning. The 14-year-olds were both seriously injured, and one of the sisters is now brain dead.
The incident occurred at 6:44am at Lark Ellen Avenue and Tudor Street. The driver, a 30-year-old woman, hit the girls with her 2007 Honda Civic while traveling at about 30mph. She told investigators that she did not see the twins.
Leilani was pronounced brain dead on Monday at County-USC Medical Center. Luana remains in critical condition.
KTLA reports that residents say the intersection where the girls were hit is hazardous. Drivers often fail to stop or even slow down at the crossing. About 30 parents gathered at the intersection on Tuesday to protest the lack of a stoplight. Residents, to no avail, have reportedly complained to city officials about the dangerous location for years.
Parents of the twins have created a Facebook page, Love for Lei & Lu, where community members can make donations. As of now, almost 600 people have "liked" the page.
