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Driver charged in Christmas concert fatal crash near L.A.

Four killed; woman suspected of driving under influence

The Columbian
Published: December 19, 2014, 4:00pm

LOS ANGELES — Prosecutors have filed felony gross vehicular manslaughter charges against a suspected intoxicated driver who plowed into a crowd of people leaving a Christmas concert in Redondo Beach on Wednesday night, killing four people, including a 6-year-old boy.

Margo Bronstein, 56, of Redondo Beach, has been charged with four felony counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and one felony count of being under the influence of a drug, causing injuries, said Ricardo Santiago, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

The criminal complaint against Bronstein also says she caused great bodily injury to Maria Quast; John Fasano; and Glenn, Angela and Maggie Gaza.

The three Gazas — a man and his two daughters — were the surviving members of a five-member family struck by the car. Martha Gaza, 36, and 6-year-old son Samuel were killed.

This is the first time authorities have released the names of some of those grievously hurt in the incident.

Authorities said Bronstein was behind the wheel of the car that ran through a crowd outside St. James Catholic Church. Prosecutors allege she swerved around vehicles stopped at a red light before striking the crowd.

Bronstein, being held on $300,000 bail, was expected to appear in court Friday afternoon, Santiago said. But her arraignment may be postponed, he added. Prosecutors have requested that bail be set at $500,000.

If convicted of the charges, she could face 40 years in state prison.

Torrance residents Mary Ann Wilson, 81, and Saeko Matsumura, 87, also died in the crash. Eight others, including the three surviving members of the Gaza family, were hurt.

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