In a harrowing sequence of events on Thanksgiving Day, South Los Angeles was the scene of three separate traffic accidents, resulting in the deaths of at least three individuals. These incidents, involving high speeds and impaired driving, have marked this Thanksgiving as one of the most devastating in the area’s recent history, as reported by law enforcement officials and local media.
Detective Ryan Moreno of the Los Angeles Police Department’s South Traffic Division, a veteran with 28 years of service, expressed his shock to KNBC-TV Channel 4, stating, “In 28 years, this is the worst Thanksgiving I’ve ever seen.” Moreno was among the first responders to all three accidents.
Rising Fatalities in Road Accidents During Thanksgiving
In a concerning trend, the LAPD South Traffic Division has reported a total of nine fatal accidents in just under two weeks. The series of accidents on Thanksgiving began around 5:30 a.m. near 18th and Figueroa streets in Harbor Gateway, prompting a quick response from LA traffic enforcement.
According to police reports and NBC, a driver, allegedly under the influence and traveling at speeds exceeding 100 mph, collided with a vehicle carrying three women. The crash tragically claimed the life of a 24-year-old single mother, leaving behind a 5-year-old son.
Later in the day, just after 1 p.m., a second accident occurred when a driver, suspected of being intoxicated, exited a liquor store on Western Avenue near 83rd Street and collided with a speeding vehicle. The impact of the crash led to the death of 26-year-old Alma Letecia Aragon, who was walking with her 8-year-old daughter at the time. The young girl, critically injured, was in a precarious condition as of Friday.
Detective Moreno, speaking to NBC, expressed grave concern for the child’s survival, stating, “It’s looking right now, [that] it’s going to take a miracle [for] this girl to pull out. We’re all praying for her that she makes it.”
The third incident occurred a few blocks away, at the intersection of Western Avenue and 73rd Street, around 11 p.m. A motorist, believed to be under the influence of marijuana and driving at high speed, struck and killed a homeless man.
In his comments to NBC, Moreno highlighted the severe implications of these incidents, noting that the charges in these cases could range from manslaughter to murder. He lamented the apparent sense of entitlement and reckless disregard for safety displayed by the drivers involved: “It’s people just now, self-entitled, thinking, they can do whatever they want.”
‘Deadliest Holiday’ in the US
Traffic-related accidents tend to increase during holiday periods for several reasons. While specific data can vary by region and year, the general trends observed during holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and other festive periods are quite revealing.
Statistically, certain holidays have been identified as particularly dangerous for road travel. For instance, in the U.S., Thanksgiving is often cited as one of the deadliest holidays due to the high volume of travel. Similarly, New Year’s Eve and Day are notorious for alcohol-related crashes.
Do you think it’s time to take stringent measures to lessen accidents during the holiday season? Share your insights in the comments section below. To stay ahead of the latest news and updates in Los Angeles traffic, follow Driving LA today.
