Girl Survives Crash

Re “Her Cruelest Shock Came Last,” April 15: The family members of Norma Bustamante are too quick to criticize the California Highway Patrol and other authorities who protect all of us every day. We all should know that excessive speed (perhaps 83 mph) causes injuries and death. We know that not wearing seat belts greatly increases the likelihood of injuries and death.

In spite of the sad loss of a mother and the jeopardy and likely emotional injuries to her child, 5-year-old Ruby, we need to openly address the causes of the accident -- the willful breaking of our traffic laws -- rather than blame the traffic cops, who did not cause the accident.

David Thompson

Glendora