Hanna Bernal: 1-year-old fights for life after parents and sister killed in tragic LA crash on New Year's Eve
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: A toddler is fighting for her life in the hospital after an explosive car crash with a driver allegedly fleeing a hit-and-run killed her parents and 5-year-old sister in Los Angeles on New Year’s Eve.
1-year-old Hanna Bernal is in the pediatric ICU after a suspect allegedly blew a stop sign and crashed into her family’s vehicle at 11.20 pm Sunday, 31 December, ABC 7 reports.
Hanna Bernal fights for life
The crash killed the toddler's father, Jose Manuel Pascagaza, 49, her mother, Luisa Bernal, 26, and her sister Mia Pascagaza, 5.
The driver who is identified as Issac Jordan Kahari, 22, was allegedly fleeing after he reportedly hit a male pedestrian in the Lomita area shortly before 11 pm.
The Pascagaza family's car was then allegedly struck by Kahari while driving at a "high rate of speed," causing it to collide "violently" with a fence and a street sign at the intersection of 60th Place and Normandie Avenue, according to LAPD.
Witnesses who heard the crash described it as an explosion, according to ABC 7.
According to authorities, an anonymous person started removing the family from the "smoking vehicle."
After getting to the hospital, Mia was confirmed dead, and Jose Pascagaza was pronounced dead at the scene as well.
Hanna Bernal's mom dies from her injuries
“As soon as I saw the little kids in bad condition, with blood all over them, I couldn’t hold it and I just started crying,” Amilcar Lopez, a person who was near the incident told ABC 7.
Bernal and Hanna were transported to the hospital in critical condition.
However, the mother of two died from her injuries on Tuesday, January 2.
As per Daily Mail Hanna remains in the hospital, just days away from her second birthday.
According to authorities, Kahari was also admitted to the hospital with non-life-threatening wounds and is accused of murder and gross vehicular manslaughter.
As per KTLA, Police believe Kahari was driving under the influence, but a toxicology report is pending.
The family of four moved to Los Angeles from Colombia a year ago to build a better future for themselves.
The police are working with their family in Colombia, according to sources.
