County to Pay $900,000 to Settle Lawsuit in Crash

The Board of Supervisors agreed Tuesday to shell out $900,000 to settle a lawsuit filed for two children whose mother died when a county fire truck smashed into her car.

Graciela Sanchez was killed two years ago at an intersection in South Gate when her car drove through a green light and was struck by the fire truck, said Philip Miller, principal deputy county counsel.

Though the truck had its sirens blaring and lights flashing, witnesses said it did not slow down as it went through a red light, Miller said.

Sanchez’s children, Stephanie Molina, 8, and Jessica Amescua, 11, have been placed with their respective natural fathers, Miller said. The lawsuit filed for the children asked for millions of dollars in damages, he said.

In a recommendation to the board, Assistant County Counsel S. Robert Ambrose wrote: “We believe a court or jury would find negligence in the fire truck’s entry into the intersection.”