Driver Charged with Manslaughter After Women Died Trying to Help Him
A man in California who crashed his SUV into a utility pole and a fire hydrant will be charged with vehicular manslaughter following the electrocution of two women who rushed to his aid.
Officials say then-19-year-old Arman Samsonian of Glendale had been speeding when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed by the side of Ben Avenue in Valley Village.
Two women, Irma Zamora and Stacey Schreiber, stopped their cars and stepped out to help Samsonian, but were killed instantly upon approaching the scene after stepping in a pool of electrified water.
Six other people including an officer were also injured after coming into contact with electricity from the downed power line.
"He was definitely driving negligently, he definitely had disregard for others," said Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Karen Nudell.
Witnesses to the August 22nd, 2012, incident took the stand this week to recount their recollection of that night's events.
Nudell then concluded that enough evidence existed to charge Samsonian with vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence.
Andrew Flier, Samsonian's attorney, insisted that his client couldn't have foreseen the "intervening acts" the occurred following his crash, and his would-be rescuers should have been aware of the "inherent dangers associated with downed power lines and standing water."
