My sister just e-mailed me this article. The girl is our cousin. I didn't really know her too well, she is actually my mom's cousin's daughter (my 2nd cousin?).
Redondo accident victim is identified
By staff and news services
Article Launched: 03/02/2008 11:39:28 PM PST
Authorities on Sunday identified a 22-year-old Torrance woman who was struck and killed by a van that was backing up in Redondo Beach, a coroner's spokesman said.
Melissa Burkhalter was pronounced dead Saturday at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Torrance, said coroner's Lt. Joe Bale.
How do you not know which pedal is which? I think the woman should at least have her license taken away for a while or something.
Burkhalter, who worked for a catering company, was in the loading dock of the AES power plant when she was struck by a van delivering speakers at 3:40 p.m. Saturday, said Sgt. Phil Keenan of the Redondo Beach Police Department.
Burkhalter had been preparing food for a large party for the Hawthorne-based Richstone Family Center, a nonprofit child abuse outreach. About 20 people had been in the area at the time of the accident.
The event was canceled.
The driver, a 62-year-old woman from Ojai, was not charged, but the accident remained under investigation, Keenan said.
"Apparently she hit the accelerator instead of the brake," Keenan said Saturday
I think the lady should have her license taken away for a while or something. I know it was an accident but still.
