MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — More than 50 supporters of the family of Ford Savela gathered at a Torrance courthouse Monday as pretrial proceedings continued against the driver accused of killing the 18-year-old Mira Costa High School senior last year, according to the Manhattan Beach News.
The supporters gathered Monday morning as Kameron Lee Peterson appeared for a pretrial conference in the criminal case stemming from the Jan. 7, 2025 crash, Manhattan Beach News reported.
Los Angeles County Superior Court records reviewed by Patch independently confirm Monday's proceeding was a pretrial conference in Torrance. The court docket lists the hearing as held and shows the case remains open.
The next pretrial conference is scheduled for Nov. 4 at 8:30 a.m. in Torrance, according to the court record reviewed by Patch. The online docket reviewed by Patch does not list a trial date, but a trial is expected sometime early next year.
Peterson faces charges of second-degree murder, hit-and-run driving causing death or serious injury and reckless driving with injuries in connection with the crash that killed Savela. A Torrance Superior Court judge ordered Peterson to stand trial on the charges following a preliminary hearing in November 2025.
Prosecutors alleged during that hearing that Peterson reached speeds of more than 100 mph before the crash. Vehicle data showed his car was traveling 83 mph when it struck the vehicle carrying Savela as it turned into a Taco Bell parking lot, according to testimony previously reported.
Savela, a Mira Costa senior, was riding with his brother and another friend when the collision occurred shortly before 11:30 p.m. Jan. 7, 2025. He later died from his injuries. Peterson was taken into custody by Manhattan Beach police Jan. 9, and prosecutors filed three felony charges against him Jan. 13.
Court records also show activity in the case this summer involving a forensic toxicology expert. Peterson's retained counsel filed an application July 15 seeking appointment of a forensic toxicologist at county expense and the court subsequently entered an order July 21 for additional funding for a court-appointed forensic toxicology expert.
The records do not indicate what evidence the expert is examining. Monday's gathering was not the first courthouse show of support for Savela. Friends and community members also gathered outside the Torrance courthouse during a March pretrial conference.
Ashley Savela, Ford's mother, told the Manhattan Beach News following Monday's gathering that the community's continuing support meant a great deal to the family as they navigate the loss of their son. Peterson has pleaded not guilty, according to the Superior Court docket.
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