A driver involved in a crash in Lancaster that killed a 9-year-old boy and left a 14-year-old girl with major injuries was facing a possible charge Thursday of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, according to the California Highway Patrol.
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The crash occurred at approximately 5:45 p.m. at 200th Street East and East Avenue G-8, CHP Officer Elizabeth Kravig told City News Service.
According to preliminary crash investigation findings, a 2019 Dodge Challenger driven by Christian Terrell Powell, 23, of Victorville, was traveling south on 200th Street East when the muscle car drifted into northbound lanes, according to the CHP.
"Mr. Powell steered to the left to avoid a crash with a 2025 Honda being driven in the opposite direction by 19-year-old Aileen Mendoza of Lancaster," according to a CHP news release. Ms. Mendoza took evasive action to the right, and a head-on collision occurred.
The 9-year-old boy was a passenger in the Honda, and pronounced dead at the scene. The 14-year-old girl was also in the Honda, and was taken by ambulance to a hospital for treatment of major injuries, according to the CHP.
Powell was placed under arrest on suspicion of DUI.
"All individuals involved in the crash were wearing seatbelts; however, whether the seatbelts were being worn properly is being investigated," CHP officials said.
Powell was being held with no bail set at the jail at the sheriff's Lancaster station, according to online jail records.
Anyone with information regarding this traffic crash was urged to contact the California Highway Patrol's Antelope Valley Area office at 661-743- 6060 during business hours. After hours, please contact the CHP's Los Angeles Traffic Management Center at 323-259-3200.
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