WINDSOR HILLS, Calif. (KABC) — Grieving family and community members gathered Sunday at a Windsor Hills intersection to remember six lives lost when a speeding driver ran a red light, triggering a crash that engulfed multiple vehicles in flames.
The driver who is blamed for the crash was hospitalized and is expected to face charges possibly by Monday.
Nicole Linton, 37, was initially being held on a $2 million bail. On Sunday, records indicate the amount had been increased to $9 million.
Authorities say Linton was speeding in a Mercedes when she ran a red light at the intersection of La Brea and Slauson avenues on Thursday. She slammed into multiple vehicles, and three of them were engulfed by flames.
Linton is a traveling nurse from Houston who was working in the Los Angeles area. Police are looking into whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.
RELATED: Woman was heading to prenatal checkup with infant son, boyfriend before deadly Windsor Hills crash
Among the dead were Asherey Ryan, who was more than eight months pregnant, along with her boyfriend Reynold Lester and their unborn baby, named Armani Lester. Asherey’s 11-month old son Alonzo Quintero was also killed. They were heading to a prenatal doctor’s appointment at the time of the crash.
“She was such a beautiful lady,” said Jean Martin of Windsor Hills, who attended Sunday’s vigil. “You know she was a good mom. To her family de ella, be sure to take the life and time you had and cherish that.”
A growing memorial of flowers, photos and candles has been placed at the intersection in memory of the victims.
“His body was damn near cremated on the corner,” said Lester’s aunt, Shanita Guy. “For what? For what?”
Family members and community activists also called for safety improvements at the intersection, which they say has seen other serious crashes.
They also called for Linton to face the maximum penalty allowed by law if convicted.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help Asherey’s family with funeral expenses.
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