One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Salma Hayek's Brother Involved In Bel-Air Crash That Killed One Passenger
Sami Hayek and sister actress Salma Hayek (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images)
Salma Hayak's younger brother was involved in a car crash that killed his passenger in Bel-Air on Sunday. Sami Hayek, 40, was driving his 2006 Ford GT eastbound on the 10200 block of Sunset Boulevard around 4:50 p.m. when he lost control of his car, according to KABC. His sports car went into the westbound lanes and slammed head-on into a Toyota Tacoma.
Hayek's 43-year-old passenger was a man from Mexico who died at the scene, Det. Zachary Hutchins of the LAPD's West Traffic Division told City News Service. The passenger, who has not been identified yet, suffered blunt trauma to his body.
Hayek, a furniture designer in L.A., was taken to the hospital for his broken ribs and cut to his head.
The 20-year-old driver of the pick-up truck, Alvin Gomez, suffered a broken foot.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash. It is not immediately clear what caused Hayek to lose control of his car.
UPDATE 2/25, 8:50 a.m.: The passenger who died in the car crash has been identified as photographer and Grammy-award winning art director Ian Cuttler Sala, according to the L.A. Times. Sala, 43, lived in New York and was popularly known for designing the packaging for the box set of "Johnny Cash: The Legend," which he won a Grammy award for, according to his website.
Police are still investigating the cause of the crash. However, Sgt Stephanie Krajchir of the LAPD told KTLA Hayek may not have been familiar with the car. "Too much speed on a curved roadway, tried to over-correct and unfortunately crossed into opposing lanes," she said.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
