What are the charges against Nicole Linton? ICU nurse in LA crash that killed 6 could face 90 years jail
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: ICU nurse Nicole L Linton, 37, from Texas has been charged with six counts of murder and five counts of vehicular manslaughter after a horrific 100mph car crash in Windsor Hills, Los Angeles, killed a pregnant mother, her unborn child, one-year-old son and four others. The fiery crash was caught on surveillance camera, showing a Mercedes speeding into the frame at full velocity as cross traffic on Slauson moved west through the intersection. The Mercedes subsequently slammed into multiple vehicles, prompting a fire. The vehicles were seen still skidding through the intersection, coming to a halt in front of a gas station.
At least six vehicles were involved in the crash and the impact of the crash caused at least three of them to burst into flames. Witnesses described how there was a terrifying loud noise at the time of the crash, which was followed by fire and sparking electricity. Thick plumes of smoke were seen drifting into the sky before firefighters arrived.
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Infant, pregnant woman among at least 5 killed in fiery LA multi-car crash
Nicole Linton, who works in Los Angeles, was charged on Monday, August 8, over the crash that also left eight people injured, besides the ones who died. She could face up to 90 years in prison if convicted as charged.
LA County DA George Gascón has confirmed that there is no evidence to suggest that Linton was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. She is being held at the Century Regional Detention Center in Lynwood, California on a $9 million bond after being discharged from the hospital on Sunday, August 7.
Pregnant Asherey Ryan, 23, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her one-year-old child Alonzo Luchiano Quintero and her unborn baby boy also died as a result of the crash. The unborn child's father, Renald, was killed too. Asherey, Renald and Alonzo were going to see a doctor for a pregnancy check-up when the accident took place.
"A young family was destroyed in the blink of an eye," Gascón said. "There’s catastrophic damage to the families and friends of those killed and injured. It’s not only a tremendous loss to their families, but to our entire community, who learned of this incredible tragedy who watched the now viral video of the collision."
Disturbing security cam video of the catastrophic crash in Windsor Hills… New details NOW on @ABC7 Eyewitness News at 5pm pic.twitter.com/CQU6y3rHHv
— Chris Cristi (@abc7chriscristi) August 4, 2022
"It looked like the whole intersection from corner to corner was on fire," said witness Harper Washington, according to ABC7. "A lot of sparks and electricity. I was under the impression that really at first I thought they dropped a bomb on us. I thought another world war had started. Then I realized it was a car into the sign." Harper added, "Once the fire went away and the booming left, I realized it was two cars there. You could see the people on fire and that's just sad. I really pray for the people and the community." The unborn child's death is considered a fifth fatality. According to the CHP, the unborn child died “due to rare circumstances."
Witness Veronica Esquival said that she was pumping gas when the incident took place, and described how the child landed on the floor in the middle of the gas station. "I was about to pump gas and all of a sudden, I hear all of the noises from all of the collisions, and then the fire explosion and I saw things, metal and things flying in the air. So, I just covered myself behind the pump," she said, according to the Daily Mail. "All of the sudden, a baby literally flew from the middle of the intersection to the middle of the gas station and landed right on the floor in front of me. One of the workers came and saw me with the baby and took the baby out of my hands. Somebody tried to resuscitate the baby, but the baby was gone."
A GoFundMe has been set up by Asherey's younger sister, Shaseana Kerr, to help with funeral costs of Asherey Ryan, baby Alonzo, and the unborn baby, Armani. "I am organizing this fundraiser for our mother Sharita Randleston, to help her pay for funeral expenses because they did not have insurance so any donations help. Please let the family mourn in peace," she wrote on the page. At the time this article was written, $149,342 had been raised of the $100,000 goal.