Local News in Brief : Motorist, 22, Held in Fatal Northridge Crash
A Reseda man who had been drinking was arrested on suspicion of murder Sunday after his car collided with another vehicle, killing its elderly driver, authorities said.
The suspect, Scott Cree, 22, was traveling about 60 m.p.h. on Tampa Avenue near Northridge Fashion Center at about 8:30 p.m. Saturday when the accident occurred, Sgt. Joe Cross said. Witnesses told police that Cree ran a red light at Plummer Street, slamming broadside into a car driven by a 74-year-old man.
The victim, Francis Petithomme of Chatsworth, died at 2:30 a.m. Sunday at Northridge Hospital Medical Center, Cross said.
Cree, who failed a field sobriety test, was treated for minor injuries at the hospital, police said, and was then held without bail at Van Nuys jail.
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