LANCASTER –  A 17-year-old girl hit by a car while walking on a sidewalk in Lancaster has died of her injuries, authorities said.

Cecilia Trujillo of Lancaster was pronounced dead at the hospital at 6:03 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27, according to coroner’s Assistant Chief Ed Winter.

The fatal collision occurred about 8:40 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 26, on Avenue I, just west of 15th Street east, according to a news release from the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station.

“Preliminary information gathered at the scene revealed a Ford Focus being driven by an adult male, was driving east on Avenue I. A female pedestrian was walking on the eastbound sidewalk, on the north side of Avenue I,”  the news release states.

“According to witnesses, the Ford Focus lost control for an unknown reason and it veered to the left (north). The Ford Focus collided into the north curb line, which subsequently caused the vehicle to collide with the female pedestrian,” the news release states.

The man driving the Ford Focus and his female passenger were taken to the hospital with unspecified injuries and were listed in stable condition, according to the news release. Their names were withheld.

“Driving under the influence and the speed of the vehicle [are] under investigation,” the news release states.

Anyone with information regarding this collision is encouraged to contact traffic investigators at Lancaster Sheriff’s Station at 661-948-8466. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.

LOS ANGELES – The state Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a Palmdale man’s second-degree murder conviction for leading deputies on a high-speed pursuit that ended in a crash that killed a toddler and seriously injured her mother in Lancaster in 2012.

The court upheld an earlier ruling by a three-justice panel from California’s 2nd District Court of Appeal, which rejected the defense’s contention that the trial judge erred by refusing to tell jurors in Marvin Travon Hicks‘ murder retrial that the defendant had been convicted of gross vehicular manslaughter by the first jury to hear the case against him.

The first panel convicted Hicks in April 2014 of one count each of gross vehicular manslaughter and DUI causing injury and two counts of evading, but deadlocked 11-1 in favor of guilt on the murder charge.

The second jury to hear the case against him convicted him in October 2014 of second-degree murder for the Dec. 6, 2012, death of 2-year-old Madison Faye Ruano.

In its 2015 ruling, the 2nd District Court of Appeal panel found the evidence of defendant’s guilt on the murder charge to be “overwhelming.”

The state Supreme Court, in its ruling Thursday, echoed that sentiment.

“Defendant acted with complete disregard for human life, and he did so in an alert state of mind,” according to the ruling. “He admitted a general awareness that his actions were dangerous. Moreover, he demonstrated, while driving, his ability to make intentional decisions, and his comments immediately after the fatal collision indicated his full awareness of the intentional decisions he had just made, including driving through a red light.”

Sheriff’s deputies ordered Hicks out of his car at gunpoint after the crash, according to the prosecutor.

Hicks led Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies on a chase during the afternoon rush-hour, running five red lights and spinning out at one point, Deputy District Attorney Craig Kleffman said during his trial.

Hicks was believed to be driving at least 70 mph while heading west on Avenue I when he slammed his black Toyota into a blue Lexus at 10th Street West, killing the child and seriously injuring her mother, Tina Marie Ruano.

A number of area intersections were closed in an effort to rush the girl to Antelope Valley Hospital, with a trauma surgeon testifying that “it felt like forever” that emergency room personnel tried unsuccessfully to save her life, Kleffman said after the verdict.

Sheriff’s deputies ordered Hicks out of his car at gunpoint after the crash, according to the prosecutor.

At Hicks’ sentencing last year, the girl’s father said he was “robbed of getting to hold my little girl because there was a criminal act that had to do with her death.”

“We were robbed of Madison’s life and all the experiences we were going to have with her because of the actions of Marvin Hicks,” Mike Ruano said. “Please ensure that he won’t ever get out and do this to another family.”

SACRAMENTO – The California Highway Patrol will observe the New Year with a Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP) from 6:01 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 29, 2017, to 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 1, 2018, authorities announced.

All available personnel will be on duty.

Officers will focus on removing impaired drivers from the road, and they will also be watching for distracted driving, speeding, and seat belt violations.

During last year’s New Year’s Day MEP, 29 people died in collisions on California roadways.  CHP officers made more than 750 arrests for driving under the influence during the 78-hour holiday enforcement effort.

“Impaired driving is a very serious crime that puts your life and the lives of others at risk,” CHP Acting Commissioner Warren Stanley stated. “Let’s end this year safely and start the New Year by designating a sober driver, wearing your seat belt, and observing all traffic laws.”

With the New Year comes a change in law for California. In 2016, voters passed the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, more commonly referred to as Proposition 64, which legalized adult recreational use of cannabis.

“The legalization of cannabis does not change the effect it has on the central nervous system,” Commissioner Stanley added. “Driving under the influence of cannabis and other drugs remains illegal.”

 

 

If you are in the local area and in need of a church home.

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LANCASTER

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Living Water Worship Center
 1034 West Ave. L-12, Suite 105
Lancaster, CA. 93534
661-422-6863
http://www.lwwcofav.org

• Worship Service:  11:30 AM
• Bible Study: Tuesday 7:00 PM
• Youth 4 Truth: Saturday before the 2nd Sunday at 2:00 P.M.
• Empowering Men:  3rd Saturday at 2:00 P.M.
• Women of Word:  4th Saturday at 2:00 P.M.
• Food Ministry Every Saturday at 10:30 A.M.

Pastor Dwayne Jones

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The Lord House of Refuge
456 East Avenue K-4 Suite 1
Lancaster CA 93535
661-947-7121
661-857-6932

• Worship Service: 10:30 A.M.
• Bible Study: Wednesday 7:00 PM

Pastor Tina Johnson

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Galilee Baptist Church
542 East Avenue G
Lancaster CA 93535
661-942-3239

• Sunday School: 9:30 A.M.
• Worship Service:  11:00 A.M.

Pastor BillyZone

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Wayside Christian Center
44219 10th Street West
Lancaster CA 93534
661-952-5710

• Worship Service: 11:00 A.M.
• Tues. Bible Study: 7:00 P.M.

 Dr. John Ward, Senior Pastor  

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Temple Ministries   
43913 15th Street West
Lancaster CA 93534

• Sunday School 9:00 A.M.
• Sunday Worship 10:00 A.M.
• Wednesday Bible Study 7:00 P.M.

George McIntyre, Pastor  

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Agape Community Church
1722 East Lancaster Blvd.
Lancaster CA 93535
661-949-1912

• Sunday Service:  8:00 A.M. & 11:00 A.M.
• Sunday School:  9:30 A.M. – 10:30 A.M.
• Bible Study: Wednesday 7:00 P.M.

Bishop George Todd, Senior Pastor

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Universal Church of God in Action
511 West Avenue H-8
Lancaster CA 93534
818-581-6080

• Sunday School:  10:00 A.M.
• Morning Worship:  11:30 A.M.
• Bible Study:  6:00 P.M. Wednesday
• Women In Action:  12:00 P.M. Thursday
• Youth Bible Study:  6:00 P.M. Friday
• Saturday Prayer:  8:00 A.M.  Saturday

Robert L. Jones, Jr.  Senior Pastor

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Bible Way Deliverance Ministry
205 Nugent Street
Lancaster CA 93534
66-916-3418

• Sunday School: 10:00 A.M.
• Sunday Morning Service: 11:00 A.M.
• Bible Study:  Wednesday: 6:30 P.M.
• Women Ministry (WORCC): 3rd Saturday:  10:30 A.M.
• Young Men’s Ministry: 1st Saturday:  10:30 A.M.

Pastor LeNeil & Pastor Venus Davis

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Citadel of Praise, Int’l
44967 10th Street West
Lancaster, CA 93534
Phone: 661-943-7846
Fax: 661-943-7846

• Come and Worship With Us
• Weekly Services
• Sunday School ~ 9:30 A.M.
• Morning Worship ~ 11:15 P.M.
• Bible Study ~ Tuesday 6:30 P.M.
• Evangelistic Service ~ Friday 7:00 P.M.

Pastor E.C. Davis

 

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PALMDALE

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True Vine Gospel Church
859 East Avenue Q
Palmdale CA 93550

• Sunday School:  9:30-10:30 A.M.
• Sunday Worship:  11:00 A.M.
• Bible Study:  7:00-8:30 P.M. Wednesday

 Al January, Pastor/Teacher

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Los Angeles

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Do Right Christian Church
9815 S. Vermont Ave.
Los Angeles CA.  90044
323-352-3529
323-752-5531

• Sunday School: 7:40 A.M.
• Worship Service: 8:30 A.M.
• Bible Study: Thursday 7:00 P.M.

Lonnie McNamee, Senior Pastor

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Temple of Believers Community Church
11721 Avalon Blvd
Los Angeles CA 90061
323-241-1870

• Service Times
• Sunday School:  9:30 AM
• Morning Worship:  11:00 AM
• Conference Prayer
  Every Wednesday at 7:30 P.M.
  Phone No.  641-715-3630
  Pin No.  284045#

Junine C. Thames:  Owner Operator of Shadz beauty salon here in Lancaster CA.  Enhance your character with a “New Hair Style”.  Hair Cuts For Long & Short Styles.   Extensions. Hair Colors. Weaves.  Call for an appointment today.   661-483-8846.  FINEHAIR64@aol.com

Source: Avanti Hair & Nail Design: Junine C. Thames

Love on Purpose will be passing out food every Saturday at 10:45 A.M.  Living Water Worship Center  1034 West Avenue L12 Suite 105, Lancaster CA.  Come and let us share the joy in giving at 10:45 A.M.