Charges Are Dropped Against Driver in Fatal Accident

Police have dropped manslaughter charges and released from custody a man whose car struck and killed a 13-year-old girl earlier this week on Pacific Coast Highway.

The action was taken Monday after a preliminary police investigation indicated that the driver might not have been responsible for the accident.

Police Sgt. Dean Zanone said that the victim, Krista Jahn of Seal Beach, apparently ignored a red light when she ran across Pacific Coast Highway at 12th Street on Sunday evening.

Police have no evidence that the driver, Abdul Kahaliq Rashidi, 22, of Long Beach, was speeding or driving recklessly when his car hit Jahn, Zanone said.

“We’ve heard and read (in a newspaper account) about some vague rumors that he was driving recklessly, but we can’t confirm it,” he said. “There’s no evidence to support that.”

Soon after the accident, Rashidi was arrested on suspicion of felony drunk driving and vehicular manslaughter.

But after officials from the district attorney’s office reviewed the case, Rashidi was charged only with suspicion of misdemeanor drunk driving, Zanone said.

Police are still awaiting the results of tests that will determine whether Rashidi’s blood-alcohol level was over the legal limit, Zanone said.

Even if the tests show that he was intoxicated, Rashidi will probably not be charged with manslaughter because there is no evidence that his actions caused the accident, Zanone said.

Authorities emphasized that the investigation is still open and that anyone who witnessed the accident should call Seal Beach police.

Jahn was enjoying a day with friends when she was hit by the car about 7 p.m. She was rushed to Long Beach Community Hospital, where she died soon after.