2 homeless people run over, killed in Skid Row crash

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Two homeless people sleeping on a downtown Los Angeles sidewalk were killed when a car ran over them.

Authorities say the driver was a 19-year-old woman who had been drinking. According to police, Carmen Elena Chavez was driving her 1989 Mercedes-Benz shortly after midnight Sunday near Fourth and Crocker streets.

Chavez was traveling eastbound on Fourth Street when her car ran off the roadway, hit the curb and drove onto the sidewalk and struck two transients. Police said the woman and man who were struck were dragged 50 feet. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

Four people in the car initially ran from the scene. Chavez, another woman and a man later returned and were taken into custody.

Chavez was arrested and booked on two counts of vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence of alcohol. She was held on $100,000 bond.

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los angeles news, leanne suter

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