“Man Charged in DUI Crash that Killed Couple and Young Daughter in South Los Angeles”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Man Charged with DUI Crash That Killed Couple and Young Daughter, Toddler Hospitalized

A devastating DUI crash in South Los Angeles has left a couple and their young daughter dead, while their toddler remains hospitalized. The suspect, identified as 22-year-old Jordan Kahari Isaac by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, was charged on Thursday for his alleged involvement in the incident.

The tragic incident occurred on December 31, when Isaac is accused of driving while intoxicated. He reportedly crashed into another vehicle, causing injuries, before fleeing the scene at high speed. The family of four was driving through the intersection of Normandie Avenue and 60th Street in the Harvard Park neighborhood at around 11:20 p.m. when Isaac, traveling over 60 miles per hour in a 25-mile-per-hour zone, ran through a stop sign and collided with their car, according to Los Angeles police.

The impact of the crash was so severe that it forced the family’s vehicle into a street sign, resulting in the immediate death of 49-year-old Jose Manuel Pasgagasa. His wife, 26-year-old Luisa Arenas, and their two daughters, 5-year-old Mia and 1-year-old Hanna, were critically injured and rushed to the hospital. Tragically, Arenas and Mia later succumbed to their injuries, leaving 1-year-old Hanna as the sole survivor, who remains hospitalized in the pediatric intensive care unit.

Prior to the crash, surveillance cameras captured Isaac’s SUV speeding down a side street, followed by a red sedan. The driver of the red car had been rear-ended by Isaac and was pursuing him. Eyewitnesses reported that the red car had stopped at the stop sign, while Isaac recklessly plowed through it. The aftermath of the collision was captured on video, showing the destruction of both vehicles and debris scattered across the roadway.

Numerous good Samaritans who heard the crash rushed to the scene to offer assistance as smoke began to emit from the wrecked car. Witnesses described the impact as sounding like an explosion. The devastating loss has deeply affected the family, who had only recently moved to Los Angeles from Colombia.

“The collision was so violent, with so much force that it sent that vehicle onto the southwest corner [of the intersection], knocking over the street sign, the fence,” said Sgt. Ryan Moreno of LAPD’s South Traffic Division.

L.A. County District Attorney George Gascón expressed his condolences and emphasized the severity of the consequences Isaac could face for his reckless actions. “Mr. Isaac’s negligence and disregard for the safety of others resulted in the tragic death of a father, mother, and their five-year-old child,” said Gascón. “Such reckless actions demand severe consequences, and I hope others learn from this senseless tragedy.”

Isaac has been charged with three counts of murder, three counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, one count of driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage causing injury, and one count of hit-and-run driving resulting in injury to another person. He is currently in custody on $6.1 million bail, with an arraignment hearing scheduled for February 15 at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center. If convicted on all charges, Isaac could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.

To support the victims’ family with medical and funeral expenses, a GoFundMe page has been set up. This tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the devastating consequences of driving under the influence and the importance of responsible and safe behavior on the roads..