71-Year-Old Woman Killed After Suspected Drunk Driver Plowed Truck Into Lancaster Home

LANCASTER – A 71-year-old woman was killed Sunday night after a suspected drunk driver plowed his vehicle into her Lancaster home. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

The accident took place around 10:55 p.m. in the 1000 block of West Avenue J-12, when 25-year-old Aaron Benson was allegedly driving a silver 2001 Toyota Tacoma while under the influence. He collided his vehicle with several parked vehicles on both sides of the street after which he lost control and crashed into the victim’s house.

The vehicle went straight into the victim’s bedroom where she was sleeping.

The crash was loud enough and at least 5 neighbors rushed to the scene to help.

According to Sgt. D. Jennings, the woman was the only person inside the house when the incident took place. She was found in her bed underneath the vehicle when help arrived.

Alice Brass, a neighbor present at the scene said, “It’s devastating. It looks like a bomb blew up over there.”

According to neighbors, the victim will be remembered as a sweet woman who loved her cats, the theater and also gardening.

Dani Yamamoto, another neighbor said “She was really artistic, and she liked to work on her little yard, that was a really big thing for her.”

The driver was charged with felony drunk driving and vehicular manslaughter. He was taken into custody and was being held on $1 million bail.

The matter is still under investigation. Anyone with information regarding the collision is advised to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Lancaster Sheriff’s Station at (661) 948-8466.

News Source: www.CBSLocal.com