Pregnant woman traveling to prenatal checkup killed in fiery crash in California

A pregnant woman on her way to a prenatal checkup was among those killed in a fiery multi-vehicle crash at a busy intersection in southern California.

Asherey Ryan, her 11-month-old son Alonzo, and her fiancé, Reynold Lester had recently been enjoying a special time in their lives. Alonzo was set to turn 1 year old in just two weeks while his parents were eagerly awaiting the arrival of his baby brother, who they planned to name Armani.

Asherey Ryan, 23, and her unborn son were among the crash victims

They’re time was cut tragically short on Thursday however, when their vehicle was struck while they were traveled to a pregnancy checkup. Two other women and a man were also killed but their names weren’t made public as of Saturday.

“Everybody’s heartbroken,” her sister, Shaseana Kerr, told KABC-TV.

“She literally walked out the door, because we all live together, and she said, ‘Ok, I love y’all. I’m going to my doctor’s appointment to check up on the baby.’ We asked, ‘Oh, why don’t you leave our nephew here?’ She said, ‘No, I want to take my son for a ride.’ So, knowing that really, really broke our hearts.”

Authorities believe Nicole Linton, a traveling nurse from Texas, was driving at a speed of at least 80 mph when she plowed her Mercedes through a red light at the intersection of La Brea and Slauson avenues in Windsor Hills. As many as six cars were involved in the crash, two of which burst into flames.

This aerial image taken from video provided by KABC-TV shows authorities responding to a traffic accident in the suburban neighborhood Windsor Hills, in Los Angeles, on Thursday.

Several of the victims were flung from their vehicles, many of which were left mangled and charred in wake of the crash.

California Highway Patrol Officer Franco Pepi said Linton’s Mercedes-Benz sedan never appeared to brake and that authorities are looking into whether she had a medical episode or was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

“It was definitely one of the most horrific crashes that we’ve seen,” Pepi said.

Linton, who was hospitalized with moderate injuries, was arrested on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence.

Prosecutors said they could receive the case as early as next Monday and will then decide whether to file criminal charges.

With News Wire Services