Christina Marie Nowak is charged with the murder of 34-year-old Leslie Fleming, the driver killed in a head-on collision on Sept. 17, 2017, according to Ricardo Santiago of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Nowak is also charged with one count of driving under the influence of a drug causing injury, Santiago said.
The deadly crash occurred around 12:40 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, on Avenue J east of 40th Street East in Lancaster, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Nowak was driving a Dodge Caliber west on Avenue J, towards 40th Street East, when her vehicle crossed the center line of the roadway and crashed into a Hyundai Sonata that was traveling east on Avenue J, sheriff’s officials said.
Fleming was pronounced dead at the scene, and her passenger [longtime boyfriend Josh Hartley] was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.
Nowak also sustained serious injuries in the crash.
A warrant was filed for Nowak’s arrest on Jan. 31, and she was arrested on Feb. 16, Santiago said. Nowak is scheduled to be arraigned at the Antelope Valley Courthouse on March 9.
Previous related story: 1 killed after driver crosses into oncoming traffic in Lancaster
Rob Hartley says
I am the father of Joshua, the other victim in the car that killed Leslie.I would have been the father-in-law of Leslie in the very near future if she would have lived. Watching what Leslie’s family has had to go thru, and watching my son trying to face each day, and seeing everyones life has been shattered is pure torture. Leslie was his life, his companion and his best friend. I never had to worry about Joshua because Leslie loved Joshua and it was amazing to see how much love he had for her.
Now I watch a grown man using a cain to walk, he will never be able to use his arm to film like he use to and forget about lugging around equipment to do his job. He’s lost his love, his passion and creativity because he lost the love of his life. Joshua cannot work like he use to and his bills are climbing each day, all because of negligence and stupidity.
This could have been prevented, and NOT JUST FROM THE DRIVER, but had the Sheriff’s department, stopped and looked at the background, along with not having a license or insurance, and impounded the car a few weeks earlier, which could have been done….Leslie would have enjoyed the holidays, valentines day, and this spring, we would of seen a marriage take place between Joshua and Leslie. I was looking forward to becoming a grandpa as I am sure Kim, (Leslie’s Mother) would have enjoyed the same thing.
I have a lot of unanswered questions? Why was she allowed to drive off without a license and insurance the first time? Why was she released from the hospital without being charged and arrested? Why did it take 5 months before a warrant for her arrest? Why did it take so long to get blood tests back to show why she should be charged? Why has Kim and Joshua been kept in the dark? Joshua found out more in this article then what has been shared with him. The Victims Bills of Rights has been abused, and I know during the last 5 months Joshua has only spoken with the Detective once and that was when the police report was ready. I have many more questions and it isn’t only for myself, but rather answer questions for Leslie’s family and Joshua.
As far as the girl who murdered Leslie, and then ran when she knew she was in trouble, I hope she can find some sort of peace within her to know she wrecked families forever because it was more important to be high, drive without a license and insurance and her only concern was for herself and her high. None of us will EVER heal from this, and the end result is Leslie is remembered by a cross on the desert, Joshua will be broken up in so many ways for the rest of his life, and the extended family members on both sides will grieve until the day we die.
Amy says
Wow… your comment brought tears to my eyes. So sorry for your loss!
Cathy Wittman says
May YOU also find comfort in this tragic event…
I bet about 3/4 of the ppl that read this and other tragic DUI accidents will be out doin it up again tonight, what they have read couldnt possibly happen to them, because ” i can drive really good drunk.. “. I only had one drink,”” ( and WHAT other substances they consumed that day)…
It just sickens me…
I to am sorry for the events that you will never be apart of, the joys in life we all look forward too, WHY?? BECAUSE SOME SELFISH PIECE OF SHIT RUINED IT FOR YOU… THERE IS NO AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT CAN REVERSE WHAT HAPPENED,…
WE NEED TO AS A PPL PROTEST ALCOHOL NOT GUNS… PPL drink everyday and everyday some one innocent losses their life because of it…
MAY YOU ALL PEACE AND COMFORT, NOW AND FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIVES..
SINCERLY, Cathy
justsayn says
the a.v. would be cleaned up quickly if these folks were dealt with the old fashioned way……..justsayn
Wendy GB says
May the Fleming family have some measure of comfort that justice prevails.1 King 8:32 “May you then hear from the heavens and act and judge your servants by pronouncing the wicked one guilty and bringing what he did on his own head.” Soon we will be with our loved ones in a world where no death and injustice will exist. 2Pt. 2:13.
T.v says
The driver is my cousin that I just found out about lol but I agree life for her ass.in no way I would condone this shiy at all.she took an innocent life away for being on drug and driver .shit is sad AF and I hope she gets ever sentence thrown at her for her foolishness decisions .
christopher R Bell says
I know the victim of this i hope she gets at least 25 years to life for this .
nisiek says
Yes!! Noone should walk free for what she dif
Gutenberg says
Sie ist eine Schlampe is what is said about a woman like this.She knew it was dangerous and deadly to “fire a gun at a group of on coming cars.” Hence, she knew it was dangerous to drink and drive. Murder is the proper charge for this Killerschlampe. And please, Judge, if you are reading this today, no more of this four to eight years in prison. She murdered someone. Got it? This Hündin requires fifty years to life.