Boy Whose Parents Were Killed in Crash Dies

An 11-year-old Van Nuys boy, who had been in a coma for six days after his family’s car was struck by a suspected drunk driver fleeing police, died Thursday at Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles, making him the third family member killed by the crash.

Carlos Medina’s parents, Antonio and Anna Lux Medina, died at the scene of the Aug. 11 North Hills collision. His younger sister, Yesenia, 7, had been airlifted to Childrens Hospital in critical condition along with her brother, but she has rallied and is now in good condition, according to a hospital spokesman.

Carlos died about 11:30 a.m. of massive head injuries. Family members and friends had been at his bedside constantly since the crash.

“Before the accident he was a very joyful boy, he was a very good student,” said family friend Priscilla Cienfuegos, who said Carlos had wanted to become a lawyer or doctor. “His dreams were to someday live in Beverly Hills.”

Antonio and Anna Medina, recently reunited after a four-year separation, were heading home a little after midnight when their compact car was struck by a Ford Bronco barreling through a red light at about 70 m.p.h., authorities said.

The 28-year-old driver was treated for minor injuries and arrested on suspicion of murder.

Police said they began chasing the Bronco after its driver made an illegal left turn. Los Angeles Police Department officials have said that the officers dropped the chase after it reached unsafe speeds for surface streets and that proper procedures were followed.

Family members say they are considering legal action against the department for the crash.

Carlos’ grandmother, Ana Elcy Rojas, said Yesenia had gone to visit her brother earlier this week.

She gave him a small toy duckling, Rojas said through a translator, “and said ‘Get well,’ because she didn’t want to be left by herself.”