Accident – death – Obituary News :

A 22-Year-Old Man Charged with Murder Following Fatal Car Crash in South Los Angeles

A 22-year-old man has been charged with murder and other counts in connection with a tragic car crash that occurred on New Year’s Eve in South Los Angeles, resulting in the death of three individuals, including a 5-year-old child, and causing serious injuries to the girl’s younger sister.

Isaac Jordan Kahari is facing three counts of murder, three counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, one count of driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury, and one count of hit-and-run driving resulting in injury to another person, as stated by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

The crash took place at around 11:20 p.m. on New Year’s Eve when Kahari, who was driving at a high speed, was attempting to flee from a previous hit-and-run collision. Ignoring a stop sign at the intersection of 60th Place and Normandie Avenue, Kahari’s vehicle collided with the sedan carrying a family of four, causing devastating consequences.

LAPD Detective Ryan Moreno described the crash as “so violent” that it propelled the family’s car through a street sign and a fence, eventually coming to a stop outside a nearby business. Witnesses compared the sound of the impact to an “explosion.” Several good Samaritans rushed to the scene and tried to provide assistance, recognizing the severity of the situation.

Kahari, who sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries, was promptly taken to a hospital for treatment following the crash. No court date has been scheduled yet, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

The victims of this devastating incident have been identified as Jose Manuel Pascagaza, 49, his 5-year-old daughter Mia, and Luisa Bernal, 30, the mother who was seated in the front passenger seat. Jose was pronounced dead at the scene, while Mia succumbed to her injuries at the hospital. Luisa fought for her life but sadly passed away last Tuesday. The family’s youngest daughter, 1-year-old Hanna, who will be celebrating her birthday this week, remains hospitalized but is showing signs of improvement.

Angie Dayana Pascagaza, Jose’s daughter, created a GoFundMe page in an effort to raise funds to repatriate the bodies of her parents and sister to Colombia for a Christian burial surrounded by their extended family. The Pascagaza family had recently moved to California in November 2022, seeking a better future for themselves and their children due to the challenging situation in their home country of Colombia.

The GoFundMe page has already gathered over $16,700 in donations, demonstrating the support and compassion from the community. Friends and neighbors have also paid tribute to the family by creating a memorial near the intersection of 60th Place and Normandie Avenue, consisting of photographs, flowers, and candles.

As this devastating incident continues to impact the community, it serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible driving and the tragic consequences that can arise from reckless behavior behind the wheel.

Follow KNX News 97.1 FM

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

.