Former SPHS Freeway Death Case Could Move Forward

Although she described the evidence as "thin,'' a judge said Wednesday that a negligence lawsuit filed against the state and City of El Monte by the parents of former student Sophia Ilona Salazar could move forward, reports City News Service (CNS).

Anette Esmaili and Rodolfo Salazar of Monterey Park, the mother and father of Sophia Ilona Salazar, brought the lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court on May 25 after their daughter was hit by a truck and killed on the Pomona (60) Freeway. They claim California Highway Patrol officers ignored pleas by their daughter to help her get home.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Barbara Scheper denied a motion by attorneys for the City and state to dismiss the case, saying plaintiffs' attorney Keith Griffin had shown enough facts establishing that a "special relationship'' had developed between the officers and the teen once they began to assist her, according to CNS.

However, Scheper said the case may be more vulnerable during anticipated future defense motions to once again have it tossed.

"Obviously this is a really tragic situation,'' Scheper said. "I just don't know how you can pursue this in the absence of [the availability of] the young lady.''

Attorney D. Wayne Leech said the city of El Monte was wrongly named in the case and that he expects it to be dismissed long before trial. Deputy Attorney General Sandra Barrientos urged Scheper to remove the state as a defendant, as well; she said there was no evidence of a "special relationship'' between the CHP officers and the girls that created an obligation for them to give her further assistance.

"I agree with the court that it's a tragic case, but it's not the state's fault,'' Barrientos said. "Her injury was caused by her own actions jumping the median and being hit by a car.''

Griffin said family members of the young woman—two of whom appeared in court Wednesday—have assisted him greatly by gathering details through their own investigations.

Past coverage:

Judge Dismisses Claim in Former SPHS Freeway Death

Parents of Former SPHS Student Killed by Truck File Suit