WESTMONT, LOS ANGELES: Gregory Black, a 31-year-old gang member, who is accused of causing a fatal Uber crash that left three young women dead, reportedly has a lengthy rap sheet.
Black was on probation in a murder case at the time of tragedy. He is currently facing three counts of vehicular manslaughter after speeding into the vehicle that killed Juvelyn Arroyo, 23, Veronica Amezola, 23, and Kimberly Izquierdo, 27.
LAPD's Ryan Moreno noted that the crash took place at around 5.20 am on August 26 when Black was racing his Mercedes Benz through the area's 35 mph zoned streets at speeds up to 100 mph, Daily Mail reports.
The suspect allegedly ran a red light before t-boning a packed Uber, causing a fatal crash at the intersection of South Vermont Avenue and West Century Boulevard in Westmont, Los Angeles.
"The force of impact was so great, that it sent the Uber vehicle spinning in a northwesterly direction, spinning five times in a counterclockwise direction where ultimately it landed on the west curb." Moreno said.
"Because of the amount of impact and force of the collision, the three rear passengers were all pronounced deceased at the scene,” he added.
Sisters, Izquierdo; and Amezola, were pronounced dead at the scene, along with their childhood friend, Arroyo.
The fourth passenger suffered a left leg contusion along with injuries to his chest and arms, while the Uber driver sustained a fractured neck, broken ribs, and severe brain trauma.
Witness Victor Gonzalez said the car was "probably going more than 80, 85. He was probably trying to beat the light but didn't see the [other] driver, and that's when the collision happened."
What are previous charges against Gregory Black?
Detective Moreno noted that Black, a "well-known local gang member," was on probation for five years for attempted murder at the time of the accident.
The investigator continued by asserting that Black had a "checkered past" that included 11 felony bookings, three convictions, and two criminal "strikes" against him, including a "super strike."
"He's going to prison," Moreno said, referring to Black. "It doesn't bring back the victims. Those families right now are all suffering. One of the families, they're preparing for two funerals, for both their daughters,” he continued, as per CBS.
Who were Veronica Amezola and Kimberly Izquierdo?
As per reports, Kimberly and Veronica were sisters, and Juvelyn was their childhood friend.
Kimberly had just graduated from nursing school while Veronica was about to start a job working with animals.
'Kimberly and Veronica are both loving sisters who did everything together. They were always there for their younger siblings to lend an ear, watch a movie, sit with them while they did homework, take them out for Starbucks and Chick-fil-A, and enthusiastically participate in family outings, whether it was going to see a movie at Main Place or go to concerts together," read a GoFundMe, organized for sisters’ devastated family.
"They are the perfect daughters to their parents, Jesus Amezola and Araceli Izquierdo. They are the perfect sisters to their siblings, Jose Izquierdo, Edward Izquierdo, Valeria Amezola, Kiera Amezola, and Anthony Alphonse Amezola," it continued.
