Father Arrested in DUI Crash That Left Wife Dead, Three Children Injured

A mother of three was killed when a car driven by her husband crashed on a freeway in the northwest San Fernando Valley as the family returned from a graduation party.

The husband as arrested on suspicion of DUI, the California Highway Patrol said.\

David Cohen, 31, of Northridge, was taken to a hospital for treatment of moderate injuries, and he was then arrested and booked on suspicion of DUI, CHP Officer Weston Haver of the West Valley Area office told City News Service.

Zeomara Cohen, 31, also of Northridge, died at the scene, Haver said.

The couple's three daughters were also taken to a hospital for treatment of moderate injuries. They were identified as Cienna Marquez, 9; Chanel Cohen, 4; and Chloe Cohen, 4 months old. The children were released to the custody of family members, Haver said.

The CHP responded just before midnight to the westbound 118 Freeway and Reseda Boulevard, where officers found several cars had been in a collision.

The couple was returning from a graduation party with their three children -- ages 7 and 12, and a baby -- when their Lexus sedan smashed into an embankment. That crash caused a second collision involving at least three other vehicles.

The mother died at the scene. The father and children were pulled from the burning vehicle by SWAT officers who happened to be in the area.

Eight people were involved in the secondary crash. Two were hospitalized with minor injuries.

City News Service contributed to this report.