Girl, 3, Critically Injured In Crash Involving Alleged Drunk Driver, 25
WHITTIER (CBS) — A 3-year-old girl suffered major head injuries when her grandfather's car was hit by an SUV piloted by a suspected drunken driver, a California Highway Patrol officer said.
The crash on Mulberry Drive at Laurel Avenue was reported to the CHP at 1:10 p.m. Friday.
Matthew Parker, 25, of Garden Grove, was allegedly drunk and speeding in his 2004 Toyota Highlander. After the crash, he reportedly fled from the scene.
Parker's vehicle allegedly ran a red light westbound on Mulberry Drive at Laurel Avenue in Whittier. It broadsided a 2005 Toyota Corolla making a left turn from southbound Laurel Avenue to eastbound Mulberry Drive.
According to the CHP, the SUV struck the Corolla on the side of the sedan where Lany Castillo, 3, was in her car seat. Paramedics airlifted the little girl from Whittier to USC Medical Center with major head trauma.
Another passenger in the Corolla's driver, Estella Garcia, was taken to Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital with major injuries, according to a CHP report. The driver, Jorge Garcia, 55, of Whittier, suffered minor injuries and was also taken to the Whittier hospital.
The CHP described the Garcias as the little girl's grandparents.
Parker was found hiding in a nearby apartment complex on Carmenita Road. A passenger in his car suffered minor injuries, and was also taken to Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital.
Parker was booked at the sheriff's Norwalk station on suspicion of felony drunken driving and felony hit and run. His bail was set at $100,000.
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