A toddler is fighting for his life in the hospital after killing his parents and sister in an explosion in Los Angeles on New Year's Eve with a driver believed to have fled a hit-and-run.
Hannah Pascagaza, 1, was sent to pediatric intensive care after a suspect allegedly blew a stop sign and crashed into the family's car at 11:20 p.m. Sunday, according to a GoFundMe set up by the victim's family. is in the room.
The baby's father, Jose Manuel Pascagaza, 49, died in the accident. Her mother, Luisa Bernal (26). and her younger sister, Mia Pascagaza, 5 years old. According to ABC7.
The driver, Isaac Jordan Kahari, 22, reportedly hit a male pedestrian in the Lomita neighborhood just before 11 p.m., and is said to have fled the scene.
Kahali then allegedly struck the Pascagaza family's car while driving at a “high rate of speed,” which then “violently” crashed into a road sign and fence at the corner of 60th and Normandie Streets. According to the Los Angeles Police Department.
According to ABC 7, witnesses who heard the attack described it as an explosion.
Police said good Samaritans began pulling the family out of the “smoking vehicle.” Jose Pascagaza was pronounced dead at the scene, and Mia was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
“As soon as I saw the young children covered in blood and in poor condition, I couldn't hold back and started crying,” Amilcar López told ABC 7.
Bernal and Hanna were taken to hospital in critical condition.
The mother of two died from her injuries on Tuesday.
Hannah remains hospitalized, just days shy of her second birthday.
Kahari was also taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said, and was charged with murder and gross negligence.
Police believe Kahari was driving under the influence, but a toxicology report has not been filed, ABC 7 reported.
The family of four moved to Los Angeles from Colombia a year ago to build “a better future for themselves,” according to their GoFundMe page.
Police are working with the family in Columbia, KTLA said.
