Boy, six, dies after car crashes into crowd in California
REDONDO BEACH, California, United States (AP) — A six-year-old boy whose mother and two other women were killed when a motorist slammed into a crowd outside a California church has also died from his injuries, authorities said early Friday.
Samuel Gaza died late Thursday at a hospital, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s Lt. David Smith.
Five children and eight adults, including the suspect and the other driver, suffered injuries including broken bones, abrasions and head trauma in the crash Wednesday night.
Authorities are investigating what led up to the woman driving through a red light and into nearly a dozen people as they left a church Christmas event in Redondo Beach.
Three adults later died, including the boy’s mother, Martha Gaza, 36; along with Mary Anne Wilson, 81; and Saeko Matsumura, 87, all of Torrance
Margo Bronstein, 56, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter and was expected to make her first court appearance either Friday or Monday, Redondo Beach police and Los Angeles County prosecutors said.
Authorities said they believed she had taken prescription drugs, but were awaiting the results of a toxicology test.
A message seeking comment left at a phone number listed for Bronstein was not immediately returned, and it wasn’t immediately known if she has an attorney.
Officials said they do not have information linking her to any prior arrests or DUI-related incidents.
She had a perfect driving record but was restricted to driving a vehicle with hand-controlled brakes, an additional right-side mirror and adequate signaling device, according to Department of Motor Vehicle records.
The DMV had no record listing her as handicapped, however.
Friends and neighbors said she used crutches at times and a motorized wheelchair at longer distances, but they did not know why.
They said she is always friendly and deferential.