3 Die in Crash With Suspected Drunk Driver

Three women--all relatives who had immigrated from Mexico--and a 7-month fetus were killed in a collision involving a suspected drunk driver in Wilmington, and a fourth woman, also related, was hospitalized in critical condition, police said Sunday.

Authorities identified the dead women as Veronica Aguilar, 24, who was pregnant; Olga Zamora, 18, and Marisela Arias, 19. Arias’ 24-year-old sister, Rosalia, was in critical but stable condition at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center with a broken arm and internal injuries, friends of the family said. The hospital would not comment on her condition.

Aguilar’s fetus was delivered by Cesarean section three hours after the accident, but was stillborn, relatives said.

Aguilar and Zamora were first cousins, and they were also first cousins of the Arias sisters, relatives said.

Friends are seeking funds to cover burial expenses and Rosalia Arias’ medical bills.

“They had no life insurance or medical insurance,” said Cynthia Estrada, a neighbor and friend of the Arias sisters and Zamora, who lived on Hawaiian Avenue in a public housing project in Wilmington. “We want to see if we can get some funds or donations from the public to cover the burial and medical costs.”

She said she will open an account at a Bank of America Branch in Wilmington today to accept donations.

The accident occurred late Saturday as the women were driving Aguilar, who had been visiting the Ariases and Zamora, back to her home in Wilmington, police said.

A suspected drunk driver ran a red light at Pacific Coast Highway and Neptune Avenue at 11:30 p.m., slamming into the women’s 1984 Ford Escort, police said. Hubaldo Calderon, 21, of Wilmington was arrested and booked for investigation of murder and drunk driving.