A young mother is dead and two other people were hospitalized after a suspected DUI driver smashed into parked cars in Pacific Palisades early Saturday morning, sending vehicles flying into pedestrians on the beach.
The victim killed was a 33-year-old mother of two, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The two others who were hospitalized were the woman’s teenage son and her best friend, only identified as a person in her 30s.
At around 12:45 a.m., a 21-year-old man who was suspected of driving under the influence was headed south on Pacific Coast Highway near Sunset Boulevard when he struck three parked cars on the shoulder next to the road, said LAPD.
Of those three parked cars, two of them fell onto the rocks below, where the three victims were located. They were initially visiting the area to enjoy the beach under the moonlight.
A driver allegedly under the influence smashed into parked cars along PCH on April 8, 2023, sending them careening toward pedestrians on the oceanside rocks below. (KeyNews.TV) 
A driver allegedly under the influence smashed into parked cars along PCH on April 8, 2023, sending them careening toward pedestrians on the oceanside rocks below. (KeyNews.TV) 
A driver allegedly under the influence smashed into parked cars along PCH on April 8, 2023, sending them careening toward pedestrians on the oceanside rocks below. (KeyNews.TV) 
A driver allegedly under the influence smashed into parked cars along PCH on April 8, 2023, sending them careening toward pedestrians on the oceanside rocks below. (KeyNews.TV) 
The 21-year-old suspected DUI driver being taken into custody following a deadly crash in Pacific Palisades on April 8, 2023. (KeyNews.TV) 
The 21-year-old suspected DUI driver being taken into custody following a deadly crash in Pacific Palisades on April 8, 2023. (KeyNews.TV) 
A driver allegedly under the influence smashed into parked cars along PCH on April 8, 2023, sending them careening toward pedestrians on the oceanside rocks below. (KeyNews.TV) 
A driver allegedly under the influence smashed into parked cars along PCH on April 8, 2023, sending them careening toward pedestrians on the oceanside rocks below. (KeyNews.TV) 
A driver allegedly under the influence smashed into parked cars along PCH on April 8, 2023, sending them careening toward pedestrians on the oceanside rocks below. (KeyNews.TV) 
A driver allegedly under the influence smashed into parked cars along PCH on April 8, 2023, sending them careening toward pedestrians on the oceanside rocks below. (KeyNews.TV) 
A driver allegedly under the influence smashed into parked cars along PCH on April 8, 2023, sending them careening toward pedestrians on the oceanside rocks below. (KeyNews.TV) 
The 21-year-old suspected DUI driver being taken into custody following a deadly crash in Pacific Palisades on April 8, 2023. (KeyNews.TV)
James Gallardo, a witness who called authorities for help, recalls the tense moments following the deadly crash.
“I was sitting in my car and I heard tire screeches,” said Gallardo. “It sounded like a car hit another car, so I ran out here to see what happened and I saw this.”
Loved ones tell KTLA the young mother was killed instantly and was pronounced dead at the scene by authorities. The woman who survived suffered serious back injuries and a broken wrist while the teenage son’s condition remains unknown.
Family and friends of the victims visited the crash site on Saturday evening, searching for any personal belongings that might’ve been scattered.
Video from the scene captured the arrest of the suspected DUI driver as he was given a field sobriety test before being handcuffed.
Locals who frequent the area were stunned by news of the deadly crash.
“We have a lot of tourists who come around here, checking stuff out up and down PCH,” said Christian Olmeda, a local resident. “That’s just awful to hear.”
The suspect’s identity has not been released as the case remains under investigation. Anyone with information can contact LAPD at 1-877-275-5273.
