The Antelope Valley Times

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Charges filed in fatal DUI crash in Lancaster

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The force of the collision caused the red Chevrolet HHR to roll over and its driver, Debra Barber, died at the scene. [Image by BRYAN HALL]
LANCASTER – A 22-year-old Lancaster woman accused of fleeing a minor hit-and-run crash and then broadsiding a second vehicle, leading to the death of a 65-year-old driver, is facing multiple felony charges.

Lanesha Anae Johnson faces one felony count each of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage causing injury with allegations of causing great bodily injury, and driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or higher causing injury, according to Ricardo Santiago of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Johnson also faces one misdemeanor count of hit and run causing property damage.

The charges stem from a Nov. 26 traffic crash in Lancaster that killed 65-year-old Debra Barber.

The sequence of events started around 7:21 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 26, at Sierra Highway and Avenue J, sheriff’s officials said. Johnson allegedly crashed her white BMW into a vehicle and fled the scene, but the driver into whom she crashed followed her and called the sheriff’s department.

Then Johnson allegedly ran a red light at 20th Street East and Avenue J-8 and broadsided Barber’s red Chevrolet HHR, which flipped onto its roof and caught fire. Responding deputies and nearby citizens were able to quickly extinguish the flames, but Barber was pronounced dead at the scene, sheriff’s officials said.

Johnson was arrested at 10:07 p.m. on Nov. 26, booked at the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station jail at 2 p.m. on Nov. 27, and then released on bond at 12:52 a.m. on Nov. 30, according to the LASD inmate information website.

The charges against Johnson were filed on Dec. 1 while she was out of custody, and her arraignment is scheduled for Dec. 14 in Department A01 of the Antelope Valley courthouse, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Johnson was allegedly driving a white BMW at the time of the collision. [BRYAN HALL]
Previous related story: Woman killed when hit and run driver causes second crash

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Filed Under: Crime/ Safety, Home, Lancaster

8 comments for "Charges filed in fatal DUI crash in Lancaster"

  1. It’s ok that she killed someone and destroyed a family, I am sure she has plenty of reasons for her actions. People driving under the influence always get away with it just to get back on the street and do it again, how many stories have we read about in just the last 12 months about drunk drivers having 5 or more DUI convictions and their back out on the street after serving a couple of months behind bars? Also in her favor is covid 19 now the judges don’t want to put anyone behind bars cause God forbid they get Covid 19 and die

  2. They should keep her locked up for ever we don’t need this kind of trash out in the antelope valley plus we won’t have to worry about her killing one of our family members

    • Lanisha, she be driv’n her BMW! When the sista be in a hurry, you betta be getting outs the way!

        • Blue state sanctuary city rule entitles ANTIFA people special privileges. Flash their ANTIFA or their BLM card, their granted immediate bond, regardless of the severity of the crime –

    • Obviously poor Lanesha is being discriminated against. 4 years and she will be out. She is not to be held accountable for her actions. This is the way.