PALMDALE – A 92-year-old woman was killed in a four-vehicle chain reaction crash in Palmdale Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.
The crash happened around 2:35 p.m. Tuesday (Sept. 10) on Avenue O, just east of 27th Street West, according to a California Highway Patrol report.
A 2006 Hyundai Tiburon was traveling westbound on Avenue O, when a 2013 Ford Explorer coming from the opposite direction made a left turn into a private driveway, traveling directly into the path of the Hyundai, the CHP report stated.
The Ford Explorer’s driver “misjudged” the Hyundai’s “distance and speed,” according to the CHP report.
The Hyundai swerved left to avoid the collision, but still struck the back of the Explorer before careening into the eastbound lanes and colliding head on with a 2013 Kia Forte that was headed eastbound on Avenue O, the CHP report stated.
The Kia spun to the right and crashed into a 2008 Ford Van that was parked on the south shoulder of Avenue O, the CHP report stated.
The front passenger in the Kia – 92-year-old Virgina Czarnecki of Palmdale – was taken to Antelope Valley Hospital and pronounced dead a short time later.
The Kia’s driver, 53-year-old Judith Frazer of Palmdale, sustained minor injuries. The Hyundai’s driver, 27-year-old Kristina Hernandez of Palmdale, sustained lacerations and complained of pain. Her juvenile passenger sustained lacerations to his neck.
No injuries were reported for the Ford Explorer’s driver, 65-year-old Deanna Norton of Palmdale.
The crash is still under investigation.
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Jason says
“The crash is still under investigation” Key words! Some of you self righteous people are so quick to point the finger when you didn’t even see what happened. I’d be willing to bet anything that the driver of the Hyundai was driving too fast just like every other person in that town AND that the driver of the Kia was following too closely just like every other person in that town AND that the driver of the Explorer did not intentionally try to hurt anybody. The important thing is that somebody lost their life. If you are one of those people that drives even one mile per hour over the speed limit or does not allow at least one car length for every 10mph you should point the finger at yourselves for contributing to making the roads more dangerous for everybody and start doing your part to ensure that accidents like this never happen again by following the rules of the road.
Gemini says
OMG!!! If you think any of us believe you don’t speed or follow closely at times, then you’re head is in the sand. What a priss you are! Blame the government for our speed limits. Everyone goes over a bit. I drive Ave O all the time and I don’t see speeding, so therefore you know not what you speak of, dearie.
Danny says
People turn from “O” to the privet drives and streets all the time and will turn right in front of you same with “M” and “N”. People need to pull their head out of their asses! Look and wait this was totally avoidable 100% the explorer drivers fault shame on her!
Jason you must be the best driver in the world , good job.
Sharon S. says
EVERYONE drives too fast in this town because the speed limits are way too high!! I drive down Rancho Vista all the time, and the speed limit is 60 mph on part of it, the rest of it is 55 mph. That’s absolutely ridiculous for a residential area with several schools in the area! It’s not a freeway, for God’s sake!!! The sad part is that I always have people passing me even though I am going to speed limit. Ave. O has a posted 55 mph speed limit, I believe, also. THIS IS A RESIDENTIAL area, as well! People pull into driveways all the time there! It sounds like the woman in the Explorer has a problem, though, if she pulls in front of people all the time, as another writer stated. They need to investigate that further. If she is responsible for the 92 year old woman’s death, she should be held accountable!
kyndra says
people drive horrible around this town and the speed limits are too high ob streets with crosswalks.. slow down and be courteous already!! Im so sick of driving my kid to school and getting cut off by everyone!! How does the lady in the explorer have a license if she drives like that!
anonymous says
She has a license because she obviously didn’t drive like an idiot for her test….
kristina says
Josephine I was the one she turned in front of. Thank you for the information ill be asking this to my lawyer
Josephine says
You are welcome. This woman should not walk away free of charges. She should get vehicular manslaughter or something. Her reckless driving caused this accident. It wasn’t a simple mistake. She has done this many times before. She is consistently reckless. And now, she has caused a life to be taken away. She should be punished.
Gemini says
My condolences to the family of Virgina Czarnecki. What a darn shame! I am so, so sorry. May God give you all comfort and strength to get through this sad time.
Kim says
The driver of the explorer should pay the price for the loss of my son’s best friends grandma.
Josephine says
I drive this every day taking my kids to school and this is NOT the first time the explorer has cut off someone driving while turning into the driveway. It is a constant thing. She has almost caused many accidents, including with myself. It does not surprise me that this happened. I feel horrible for the woman who died. But this was bound to happen with this woman behind the wheel.
Gemini says
Josephine, did you tell the police this? She may have vision problems or any health problems. She needs to be checked out and be approved to drive by the DMV. You’ll be doing everyone a favor if you report this. Thank you!
Josephine says
No, I did not report it to the police. I must have just barely missed this accident as I had probably driven by 10 minutes prior to this. This woman always tries to beat the cars who are coming to awards her. She doesn’t slowly turn into the driveway. She just suddenly turns. Not only is this dangerous for the cars coming towards her, but it also gives no warning to the car behind her that all the sudden need to slam their brakes on or swerve to miss her. She really needs her license suspended or something.
kristina says
Thank you I will be reporting it to them. My car was totalled my son has injuries and I sustained the most injury I have a broken nose and many lacerations and extreme neck and back pain. She did not slowly turn she whipped in front of me so fast and so close I didn’t have time tonreally apply my breaks I feel horrible about that sweet innocent lady. My heart is broken fornher and her family.
Josephine says
I am glad to hear you and your son were okay, despite the horrible event that occurred. This woman has done it many times before. It is like she tries to hurry and beat the traffic instead of waiting for it to pass. It is busy at that time as well right there because the schools are just getting out. In fact, I had just picked my kids up from school right up the street when this accident occurred. Although it is horrible what happened…you and your son were safe in the end and that’s great! I hope this woman gets her license taken away.
Russ says
You sustained the most injuries? It would seem to me that the sweet innocent lady may have been worse off. Seems to me by your lawyer comments your just looking for a settlement.
Gemini says
Kristina, I am so sorry for you and you son. Get well soon.
The police can now patrol this area and watch out for her, if she gets to keep her license.
As for you Russ, you’re a heartless jerk. I pray the lady. didnt suffer. It’s her family who are suffering now. Sometimes the only way a person learns is through their wallet. Whatever it takes to punish this reckless driver, it needs to be done.
Letlow says
How typical. The lady who caused the entire crash walks away without any injuries. WHY IS THAT ALWAYS THE CASE????