A 20-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of murder after allegedly fleeing the scene of a crash and then colliding with a minivan minutes later, leaving a father dead and four children injured in North Hills, police announced on Monday.
The violent series of events began when the driver of a Toyota 4Runner, identified by police as Saidy Samayoa, drove off after being involved in a crash at Sepulveda Boulevard and Parthenia Street about 11:30 a.m. Sunday, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
The driver she hit chased after her but decided to stop after he realized she was going too fast, LAPD said. Samayoa then allegedly sped westbound on Parthenia Street, blew through a red light and then collided with a white Toyota Sienna carrying a family with multiple children, LAPD said.
More than 60 firefighters responded to the wreck in the 8700 block of Haskell Avenue, about a half mile east from the first crash.
A man, believed to be the father riding as a passenger in the Sienna minivan, died at the hospital as a result of his injuries. His identity is being withheld until his family is notified.
His three young children, another child and an adult woman were all transported to multiple local hospitals, according to police. All four children in the Sienna were hospitalized with severe injuries.
"We have a father who won't be able to spend time his children, and children who won't be able to spend time with their father. It's horrible," Frank Preciado, LAPD sergeant, said.
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Samayoa, a North Hills resident, remains hospitalized with severe injuries and was arrested in connection with the deadly crash. She had two male passengers in her vehicle at the time of the collision who were also severely injured and are being treated at local hospitals, police said.
