The victim was identified as Debra Barber, 65, according to coroner’s Lt. David Smith. Her city of residence was not available.
The sequence of events started at 7:21 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 26, at Sierra Highway and Avenue J, according to Lt. Jonathan Hoyt of the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station.
A female driver crashed into a vehicle and fled, Hoyt said. No one was injured, but the driver into whom she crashed followed her and called the sheriff’s department.
Then the female driver ran a red light at 20th Street East and Avenue J-8 and broadsided a second vehicle, Hoyt said. The second vehicle, a red Chevrolet HHR, was traveling eastbound on Avenue J-8.
“The force of the collision caused the red Chevrolet HHR to roll over and catch fire. Responding deputies arrived at the scene in approximately one minute and were able to extinguish the fire with the help of nearby citizens,” according to a news release from the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station.
The Chevrolet HHR’s driver, Debra Barber, was pronounced dead at the scene, sheriff’s officials said.
The female driver/suspect and two of her three passengers were transported to local hospitals with minor to moderate injuries, according to the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station news release. The third passenger was airlifted to Holy Cross Medical Center with serious injuries, according to the news release.
The female driver/suspect was later arrested for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and other related charges, sheriff’s officials said. Her name was not released.
“Speed and alcohol are factors in this collision,” the sheriff’s news release states.
The collision remains under investigation. Anyone with information regarding this collision is encouraged to contact traffic investigators at the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station at 661-948-8466.
Ann says
The driver who hit and run was being chased by the first car it hit. That accident was not serious. This teaches me a lesson, at the cost of poor Ms. Barber, that if somebody were to hit my car and damage it, I won’t give chase to prevent another tragedy. Hit and run driver is 100% at fault, not the car that chased her, but it reminds me to try to stay calm and not chase for the safety of the public from that deranged fleeing driver. May God be with Ms. Barber and her family.
DUI says
“A female driver crashed into a vehicle and fled…”
She won’t be able to flee from a long jail sentence.
Kiki says
Rip moms I’m really going miss you Im so hurts This really hurts me so bad I’m going miss all the laughs with u Debra Barber,
Tyrena Meeks says
Would my brother be fine I want to hear from him when he fine ,this is his younger sister
James T. says
Somebody going to be doing Hard Time for this one.
Kiki says
Good she need to be locked for life her actions took someone’s loved one she should rot in prison