Services Set for Teen Killed in DUI Crash

Funeral services are scheduled Monday for a Northwood High  School cheerleader killed in a collision with an alleged drunken driver.

Ashton Sweet, 14, had been out celebrating the birthday of one of the  three girls she was with May 29 when the Mercedes-Benz they were in was struck  by an alleged drunken driver who allegedly ran a red light at Culver Drive and  Irvine Boulevard about 1:15 a.m.

Ashton's parents kept her on life-support until  the donation of her organs could be arranged. When she was allowed to die, her  organs went to six different patients, her mother, Elizabeth, said.

Friends of the freshman described her as bubbly, outgoing and helpful.  She mentored other students and helped watch out for her younger brother, who  is slightly autistic. At school, she was an active member of the Fellowship of  Christian Athletes.

Krtista Merassa, 15, was initially listed in critical condition, with a  broken nose, rib fractures, a lacerated spleen and lung injuries, but is now at  home recovering. It was unclear if she would be able to attend the funeral.

Friends were being asked to green, one of Ashton's favorite colors, at  the 5 p.m. funeral at Chinese Baptist Church of Central Orange County. At a  memorial at the school last week, almost everyone dressed in white.

The other girls, including Parisa Ghaemi, who just turned 15, were less  seriously injured. Her father,  Mohammad "Mike'' Ghaemi, 48, was driving the Mercedes.

Police allege Austin Jeffrey Farley, 26, took a left on a red arrow and  crashed his 2003 Dodge Dakota into the Mercedes. He has a long record of  alcohol-related arrests and a history of mental problems, according to the  Orange County Register, which reported that Farley spent only 50 days in jail  over the past few years. 

Farley now faces 20 years to life in prison. He has pleaded not guilty  to murder, DUI and other charges and is due back in court June 24 for a  pretrial hearing in Newport Beach. He is locked up on $1 million bail.

After the crash, his blood-alcohol was measured at 0.20 percent and had  trouble keeping his balance, police said. Just two days before the wreck, he  had a drug-possession case dismissed, the Orange County Register reported.