A woman from Venice who was struck by a car while strolling wih ther 8-month-old in a stroller, an incident captured on video, says she is enraged by the punishment imposed out to the teenage driver.
The rental car was being steered by a Palmdale citizen who had just turned 16 a day before, did not have a driver’s license, was under the influence of alcohol, and was on probation for another incident.
According to Rachel, the 16-year-old was tested for narcotics at the scene and came back positive for weed and Xanax. Rachel is convinced that this was not an accident.
“He hit us. He had no intention of stopping,” Rachel said. “He did slow down after he hit us and I believe that’s because he saw the oncoming truck that ended up ramming him into the telephone pole.”
The driver, a minor, was charged with two counts of felony assault and one count of felony leaving the scene by the office of Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón. The now-17-year-old was sentenced to a juvenile probation camp for 5 to 7 months.
Rather, the District Attorney’s office said in a tweet: “Unfortunately, opponents are attempting to capitalize on this incident & are using the victim to advance the false premise that this sentencing is tied to the DA’s criminal reform policies. The truth is our office simply followed California law.”
Gascón’s office stated that they understand Rachel’s family will be affected for the rest of their lives and that Victim Services has been contacted.
However, Rachel tells Eyewitness News that her family is leaving L.A. County because of this incident, the lack of law and order, and the fact that she does not feel completely safe.
