The Antelope Valley Times

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5-year-old Palmdale girl killed in alleged DUI crash, driver arrested

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ROSAMOND – A 5-year-old Palmdale girl died Wednesday after the car she was riding in crossed into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a dump truck in Rosamond.

The car’s driver, 40-year-old Tyree Anthony Nelson of Palmdale, was arrested after authorities determined he was driving under the influence of drugs, according to Darlena Dotson, public information officer for the California Highway Patrol’s Mojave office.

The head-on collision occurred around 3:40 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, on northbound Sierra Highway north of Patterson Road, according to a California Highway Patrol report.

Nelson was driving a 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix northbound on Sierra Highway at approximately 65 to 70 miles per hour when he allowed the vehicle to “travel into the opposing lane of traffic,” the CHP report states.

The Pontiac Grand Prix collided head-on with a 1982 Ford F-750 Dump Truck driven by a 50-year-old Mojave man, the CHP report states.

The truck driver sustained a laceration to his head and was transported by ambulance to Antelope Valley Hospital, according to the CHP report.

Nelson was airlifted to Antelope Valley Hospital with major injuries; and a 41-year-old female passenger in the Pontiac Grand Prix sustained minor injuries and was transported by ambulance to Antelope Valley Hospital, according to the CHP report.

The 5-year-old girl, who was not restrained in the car, “suffered major traumatic injuries and was pronounced deceased,” the CHP report states. Her name has not yet been released, coroner’s officials said Thursday.

“During this investigation it was determined that the driver of [the 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix] was under the influence of drugs and [he] was arrested,” the CHP report states.

“The California Highway Patrol would like to remind drivers to always have children properly restrained in an appropriate child safety seat,” the CHP report states.

The collision is still under investigation.

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77 comments for "5-year-old Palmdale girl killed in alleged DUI crash, driver arrested"

  1. It is extremely disheartening that people think driving under any type of influence is acceptable. That child did not ask to be in car with irresponsible parents. The consequence of a child’s death must be almost unbearable, and perhaps karmic intervention that is unfortunately in a severe form. Humans need to wake up. Do parents not understand how precious your kids are? precious souls that should be protected. where is the love? People are more concerned about how they look on instagram than they do about caring for their children. Drop the phone and take care of your children. Be fierce warriors and protectors of your children.

  2. This is all so sad rip baby girl as a mom I couldn’t imagine losing any of my children look plain and simple no one here is judge or jury that’s gods job and he knows all and sees all if they were neglegent then God will judge but it ain’t up to none of you to do so

  3. Rest in peace little Angel… sorry your parents did not care about your safety or love you enough to secure you in the proper vehicle restraints that may have possibly saved your life! Sorry that their living the “high life” was more important then you! I hope both adult’s in this case get put away for a long time, maybe put a poster size photo of their child on the wall in their cell so they can be reminded everyday of the life they took because they have poor judgement. Accidents do happen with vehicles but not properly caring for, insuring safety for your 5 year old child by “buckling up” in the proper “car seat” is not a accident! It is 100% negligence.

    • Agree with you 100% but there idiots families are making excuses.

      Saying they loved her so much and whatever.

      If someone loves their child they do anything to protect them not put them in harms away.

      There is no excuse. None.

  4. Want to be there when God Judge All you negative People! Stuff Happens, Forgiveness is For Every One.

    • ESPECIALLY for the two that commented above! And all the other nasty people with nasty comments, who don’t get it…

      • Don’t get what that these two people murderded their daughter instead of taking every step possible to protect her like having her in a car seat and not driving with her in the car if they are under the influence?

        We get it we all get it.

        These people cared about themselves and their drugs more than their child. So much so they got high and drove and decided their daughters life didn’t mean anything so they just threw her in the car like a piece of trash they didn’t care about.

        They didn’t worry about her then but now they want to be like we love her… what the [removed] why didn’t you love her then?

        I’m ready for my judgement no worries or fear what so ever.

      • I don’t even see the 5 year old, think about the small time construction contractor who is unable to work, and sustained serious injury, and yes it was a lot more than the article stated. He is unable to work and support his family, and his dump truck is totaled. These people are the scum of the earth, as is the bleeding hearts that fill sorry for them

    • Rest well lil Princess and only God can judge, so forget them Choo….✊✊
      SamLocc1 W/S Palmer 900 Blocc….

    • Can’t wait for my judgement won’t be because I murdered my child because me getting high was more important to me than my child’s life.

  6. If this is for weed then it’s trumped up BS looking for an excuse to punish. Hate to break it to y’all, but weed don’t cause car accidents.
    P.S. I don’t care about your opinions.

    • Todays weed is over 100 times more potent than weed from the 1980’s . After smoking only one joint of todays weed most people fall to the ground and become temporarily invalids , then need help to stand up and walk. But these same stoned people can drive a motor vehicle [car] in a safe manner, because weed don’t cause car accidents. FFT frankie.

  7. Impaireed by drugs, 65-70 on Sierra Highway and the child wasn’t wearing a seat belt.

    This was no accident. All the above was preventable.

    So sad for an innocent to be lost at the hands of reckless and thoughtless people who were supposed to take care of her.

    Life is risky already yet this was almost done on purpose.

  8. my cousin loved his daughter he would never purposely do anything to hurt his child every thing that people are assuming that happened didnt . dont speak negatively on my family when we’re going through something as serious as this .

    RIP baby cousin you were a beautiful spirit . and prayers for my big cousin hoping he oulls through

  9. Whether driving under the influence or not, head on collision with a child wearing no seat belt is the big factor… Accidents happen, and most are fatal because of negligence of child safety in the vehicle, RIP little angel, you are by far in a better place at this point, especially with today’s issues in the world, look down from Heaven and brace your smile and happiness to loved ones, look after them.

  10. Everyone is talking about marijuana this marijuana that who cares…..a simple R.I.P Lil angel will b nice. The parents will have to live with the dumb decisions they have made for the rest of their life. Only God could judge them so when judgment day comes I feel sorry for them.

  11. Im so sorry for the loss of this child. Yes the parents have to live with this the rest of the lifes. Accidents happen But, there is no excuse for being under the influence of anything and behind the wheel. I dont care if its Nyquil. Rip on peace little Angel.

  12. I can’t believe these comments, a little girl lost her life…I hope the dad’s, forever feels like crap this was so preventable…. Safety for the child should always come first! Which it didn’t.. Who cares if he was smoking pot or popping pills.. He killed his daughter, from negligence.. And a so did the lady…. They should both be charged, and the person they HIT HEAD ON, will forever, probably, think this was his fault as well… Stop defending the people…. My hubs drove by this, right after it happened, he was so upset when he got home, he did see the little girl..(the emergency people were already there)…. This whole thing is very tragic, and very very preventable….

    • Sthu..u wannabe Jesus!! Freedom of speech and who cares what ur hub saw people see this everyday and ur not the judge in humanity!! Also it was most likely a typical accident that anyone can do..I see highway patrol on 138 always passing cars which once I had to break no one is perfect!!

  13. I understand everyone has the right to comment or state there opinions .when it happens to someone in your family or someone you love .then You will see how it feels. Just let them mourn. To lose your child is hard enough. But living with the pain my cousins have to live with will be hard enough. The name calling is very childish. Can you just pray for them. And the rest of the family. If you have a heart. Thank you. And may God blessed those who try to judge and call people you don’t know or never met out of there names. No on this earth is perfect. Thanks again for your comments.

    • They didn’t lose their child they MURDERED their child their is a clear difference.

      If someone in my family killed their child I would have the same feelings if not worse.

      I pray for the little girl. I pray for the fact that she was murdered by the very people she looked to for protection. I pray that she never had a chance because her caregivers did. It value her or her life. I pray because her caregivers valued their drugs/alcohol more than their daughter.

      I pray that the people responsible for this pay with their life’s either in jail or by the hand of the State of California.

      I pray that they also charge the woman for murder as she knowingly and willingly traveled in the vehicle with the impaired driver and without the child in proper child restraint.

      I pray this child Rest In Peace and know no more pain as she has been saved from this world. I pray that God should have granted her with people who loved her and protected her. I pray she felt no pain.

      My heart breaks for her.

      • Wow u talk about prayer and then yell mrdered and judge…u are one double minded person god will soon come and fix these type of people…I pray all of these people involved get well and recover and god is the real judge..we are all sinners in this temporary time so read the Bible again and I hope will have more compassion..

      • I want to start off by saying God bless all the parties involved in this horrible accident. I know that a little angel lost her life but it could have been more tragic with the loss of others we can be judgemental but that’s normal for when we’re upset life is not an insurance policy merely a gift from God we all know where we were born but we will never know where we will expire let’s just be good decipoles of the Lord and share our love and pray for the parties evolved let the Lord be the judge not his decipoles let’s all hold hands and pray for them and for their recovery and help me with praying for the little angel let’s pray

    • If this was my family member, I would be enraged in the complete lack of safety. I would never forgive them much less take up for them. No excuse at all in any of this, this poor baby died because of the idiocy and negligence of people that don’t deserve children. The only justice in this is knowing they have to live with their mistakes.

  14. why do people think that marijuana wouldn’t impede your driving ability?

    I’m not against it except when people toke up and drive. It absolutely impairs you… if it didn’t, no one would want it! It does slow your reactions and can make you super chill… chill enough to not remember to buckle your own daughter. Chill enough to not be able to correct a driving mistake. chill enough to effect many many things.it alters your mind and is a drug.

    None of us here know what drugs this killer was on… so why automatically conclude it wasnt mj?

  15. not saying that they were going to or from any pot shop, but I have personally drivin by the major one on Sierra highway and have personally been in close to 20 major accidents going by them, they pull out into the opposite lanes quite often, pull out in front of cars , I have personally stopped at the sheriff station in rosamond when they were still there and complained, we definitely need more law enforcement around these places, it’s insane, and I do not know the situation yesterday and will not comment on what happened , a child died that is horrific , I am pretty sure I know the truck driver and thank God he is ok, it will scar him for many years even though he was not at fault, for the child that passed may it rest in piece, prayers sent to you

    • the law should make on sierra highway, no passing! this is all sad, and theres something more. than weed, i don’t smoke it, but iv heard and seen it help people. leave the family alone. they have enough hurting right now. please everybody restrain your kids. AND DO NOT PASS. god bless

  16. God bless this little girl soul, this has to be the most tragic thing ever, do not focus on marijuana when it is not an issure here. the drugs were not listed.

    • I am his 2nd oldest daughter my father didn’t take any drugs or alcohol that day he was fine I know this because I was home with him and my mother all day my father loved my sister so please stop the hate and please let us grieve without having to see these types of things

      • This is Cousin Choo-Choo I Agree with you Baby girl Keep your head up some talk about judgment, God is going to judge them Too!!!

    • I Agree do you always wear your seat belt, is there just one time in your Life that you did not wear your seat belt, I don’t care if you was around the corner of your house.

      • You are so stupid. An adult can make a choice not to wear a seat belt a child depends on someone to make that choice for them.

        Her parents were idiots that didn’t care about her.

  18. The little girl was his daughter and he loved her more then anything. He will feel this situation for the rest of his life. Please try and understand the situation before making such negative comments.
    Worm…

    • If he loved her more than anything he wouldn’t have drove with her while he was under the influence and without a car seat.

      I drink but I would never drive with my kids NEVER. And all my kids that need car seats are in car seats no exceptions.

      Because I love them more than anything.

      This guy didn’t.

    • If he loved her so much he wouldn’t of out her in that situation. And yes he will have it in his conscious for the rest of his life.

    • Seriously. If he loved her this wouldn’t of happened. Under the influence and also she was not even strapped in. Negligence .. he should rot in prison for this.

        • That’s why they should both be charged with murder. Him for being under the influence and not making sure that the child was strapped in. And her for allowing the child to not be strapped in and allowing her child to travel in a vehicle with someone under the influence.

        • the driver has the ultimate responsibility for making sure ALL passengers are buckled up. not just children! In addition, the 5 year old is too small for a seat belt and should have a booster seat. Was the dad under the influence of prescription drugs? Those impair driving as well as illegal ones. So sad for this family to lose this little girl from their lives. God must have wanted her

  19. My husband used to take Sierra Hwy. to come home from work but so many times he would have somebody behind him driving too closely then would hurry and pass him and then down the road they would turn into one of the marijuana shops. Sierra Hwy. has become even more unsafe than it used to be when we first moved to Rosamond. Its really sad that one small town has that many dispensary shops. We don’t have that many pharmacies here! Just saying. Also you can’t saying that marijuana doesn’t have the same effect on people as other drugs because all people are different and everything effects people differently. If I take asprin it puts me asleep. Anyway I guess just take the freeway to Lancaster. Really sorry to hear this happening no matter where these people were going to or coming from.

  20. It seems to me just using the label DUI is not enough, they do need to test for wider range of drugs, including marijuana.

  21. Thanks California for legalizing Marijuana . It could have cost my nephew his life also he was driving the truck that they hit . Put them both in jail and throw away the key .

    • Your [removed]…. what does marijuana have to do with a [removed]???? Who was probably under the influence of a real drug like meth or coke or even heroin??? Don’t blame marijuana for the actions of others…..

    • I think if he was stoned that wasn’t the problem unless it was his first few times high unlike alcohol which kills every time around the world in cars and out unlike pot in most cases..probably wasn’t paying attention phone girlfriend child and so on so this is a sad situation all around..rip little girl and the father must b going through hell losing his little girl so I hope God helps him and all of the family so they can hopefully recover and do well in this temporary short life instead of going the other way and possibly turning into a drunk and killing another person one day driving.

    • I think if he was stoned that wasn’t the problem unless it was his first few times high unlike alcohol which kills every time around the world in cars and out unlike pot in most cases..probably wasn’t paying attention phone girlfriend child and so on so this is a sad situation all around..rip little girl and the father must b going through hell losing his little girl so I hope God helps him and all of the family so they can hopefully recover and do well in this temporary short life instead of going the other way and possibly turning into a drunk and killing another person one day driving.

    • Just because it’s legalized, doesn’t make it OK to drive under the influence, same with school, I see way more drunks on the road, and yet, accohol is addictive, while marijuana is not!!! I have seen way more people go downhill from alcohol….Stupid and ignorant people put blame on the legalization? Wow!

      • Not addictive? That must be why people have to have their daily fixes of pot. “It is because they enjoy it.” So do alchys. Potheads get addicted. (Different than an on and off again user.)

  22. Don’t start with the medical marijuana shops. I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY dought he was under the influence of JUST medial marijuana. Did you ever think maybe the idiot took a bunch of pills or very HIGH on METH trust me I know the difference and if you ever gave MEDICAL MARIJUANA a chance to help you then you might have a different outlook in how medical marijuana DOES HELP without cause you to drive into in coming traffic

  24. I can’t help but wonder if they were possibly going to or coming from one of the three marijuana dispensaries on Sierra Hwy between Avenue A and Risamond blvd.

    • Mike really ??? marijuana doesn’t do this [removed] to people. Your saying 3 marijuana shops. Ugh there’s 12 in total. Are you referring to the 3 only legal ones?? The rest are illegal for your information.
      And What does marijuana have to do with this Accdident. The poor little girl wasn’t in a car seat that’s the mom to blame for. And Nelson for trying to pass over a car.

      • Ashley, both individuals are to blame for the child not being restrained. They are both adults.

        • Has everyone lost their minds???? The media likes to make up false reports , because it sells newspapers! If the father actually was uti, then he would’ve been arested, which he was not. The little girl was in a booster seat and strapped in. My god is everyone stupid or what? I have a question? If someone told you to jump off a bridge, would you? And if you did, then who’s falt is it? Yours for listening or the person who told you?! The reason, I posed this question is. I personally know this family and for the record. The little girl, always puts her seat belt on , which is on her booster seat. And she always tells her family to make sure they put theirs on as well. She was a very smart little girl, who was taken from us too darn soon and to be utterly hateful and horrid to her familly is a crime! Do you all not understand that deformation of character is punisshable?, so is slander! And you all are purposely hurrasing this family over and accident that none of you truly know the facts too! Do any of you know what Alleged, really means? Its speculation! Do not bash a family until you have the facts! None of you are innocent of stupidity or bad decisions! We are only human and sometimes bad things happen to good people! I would know, I’ve lost so many people over things that weren’t their fault! But do you see the people who are responsible punished? No! You don’t! Life is too short, so please, I beg you! Don’t judge until you know the facts! This family is morning their child and sibling, SHOW SOME RESPECT PEOLE!

      • EXACTLY.
        Whatever drugs this piece of turd was on, he got them/took them south of Rosamond.
        People are S T U P I D

  25. The woman should be charged with murder as well. She got in the car with the man and with the child and knowingly traveled in a vehicle without the child properly restrained and I assume she knew he was under the influence.

    Poor child couldn’t be saved from their stupidity.

    • I just wanna why add more pain to there life’s by throwing them in jail? How does that solve anything. What you just said, means to me throw them in jail so we can pay for them to be there. Since it comes from our tax payers money. Put them back to work and some rehab.

      • 2 adults who willfully and knowingly put a baby at risk should never be eligible form”rehab” their is no rehab for stupidity and selfishness.

        Not only did the driver (the father from what I gather) get in a car and decide “Yeah I got this” and drive with his child impaired he didn’t have her in a car seat. If he had the money and time to “impair” himself he by George had the money and time to strap his baby into a car seat.

        Really people of this world it takes 3 seconds of your time and can mean the difference between life and death.

        And why should the murderers get a chance to be rehabilitated and go back to work? Is the child going to rehabilitate and go back to work? No

        They should bestow the same punishment on them as they did on her.