With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
Teen Driver Charged For Traffic Killing Of Monique Muñoz
One LAPD investigator described the fatal Feb. 17 crash at Olympic Boulevard and Overland Avenue as "complete devastation." Officials believe the victim, 32-year-old Monique Muñoz, died almost instantly.
(
Courtesy LAPD West Traffic Division via Twitter
)
The 17-year-old driver who crashed a Lamborghini SUV into another car at a high rate of speed, killing that driver, Monique Muñoz, has now been charged for her death.
A spokesperson from the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office confirmed at least one charge has been filed against the driver, but would not say what the charge or charges were. The driver has not been named by prosecutors or police due to his age.
"Because this case involves juvenile proceedings, we are legally barred from disclosing any further information at this time," spokesperson Ricardo Santiago told LAist today.
The fatal crash happened on Feb. 17 at the intersection of Olympic Boulevard and Overland Avenue in West Los Angeles. According to L.A. Police Department investigators, the 17-year-old male driver entered the intersection "well in excess of the speed limit" and struck Muñoz's car as she was about to turn left from the opposite side of Olympic. The 32-year-old woman died at the scene.
Support for LAist comes from
In March, LAPD investigators told me they sent their case to the DA's office and recommended the driver be charged with vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. One detective said that was based on accounts of the driver's behavior behind the wheel right before the collision, plus the fact that he's been cited previously for similar behavior.
The driver is set to be arraigned in Juvenile Court on April 23 in Inglewood.
After Muñoz's death, her family and friends rallied for justice on social media and organized community protests, saying DA George Gascón was not moving fast enough to prosecute the driver. Amid that outrage, a lot of rumors and speculations spread about how police and the DA's office were handling the investigation and case.
I sorted through the facts here:
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol. -
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails. -
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight. -
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent.
Best of LAist