A woman driving a vehicle with four children inside was killed in a traffic collision in north Long Beach Monday after another driver failed to stop at a red light, according to the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD).
At 9:38am, officers responded to a report of an injury-traffic collision at Cherry Avenue and Artesia Boulevard. Upon arrival, officers discovered that the collision involved four vehicles.
The preliminary investigation revealed that a 25-year-old male resident of Paramount was driving a black 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee southbound on Cherry Avenue in the No. 2 lane and failed to stop at the red light for southbound traffic on Cherry Avenue at Artesia Boulevard. After running the red light, the Jeep collided with a red 1998 Ford Expedition being driven by a 37-year-old female resident of Long Beach, who entered the intersection on a green light and was traveling eastbound on Artesia Boulevard in the No. 2 lane. The 2006 Jeep then collided with a gray 2013 Kia Optima and a black 2008 GMC Yukon, both of which were stopped for a red light in the northbound lanes of Cherry Avenue at Artesia Boulevard.
The Ford continued east and collided with a light pole on the southeast corner of Cherry Avenue and Artesia Boulevard before coming to a stop. The female driver was found inside the vehicle in critical condition. The vehicle also had four child passengers inside.
Long Beach Fire Department responded to render aid to the female driver and passengers of the Ford. All were transported to a local hospital for treatment. The four children were listed in good condition, but the female driver later died from her injuries.
There was no arrest made at the time of the collision, according to the LBPD.
In an emailed response to the Signal Tribune Wednesday as to why the driver who failed to stop at the red light was not arrested, Jason Lehman of the LBPD Community Engagement Division stated that possible charges are pending and the traffic investigation is still ongoing.
Those with information regarding the incident are asked to call Detective David Lauro at (562) 570-7355.
Source: LBPD
