[KHTS] – The investigation into a fatal collision that killed a Saugus High student last August continues, officials said Thursday, at the request of the District Attorney’s Office.
Jennifer Stift, a 17-year-old who would be graduating this spring, was killed after a 17-year-old formerSaugus High student driving a 1989 Toyota Celica struck Stift while she was jogging westbound across Golden Valley Road around 8:25 p.m. Aug. 18.
“The case remains under investigation (by the California Highway Patrol),” according to Greg Risling, spokesman for the District Attorney’s Office.
The name of the driver, a male juvenile at the time of the crash, is not being released, officials said.
An in-depth collision investigation, as well as the supplemental investigation by the Southern Division M.A.I.T. unit, is complete and has been forwarded to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for review,” according to an email from CHP spokesman John Lutz in April.
The District Attorney’s Office sent the investigation back to the CHP, officials said. No reason was cited why, and charging documents are not available in juvenile cases, according to the D.A.’s Office.
A public records request for the report on the investigation can’t be filled until the investigation is complete, according to CHP officials.
Officials have confirmed both the driver and Stift knew each other prior to the collision, but CHP officials have not released any details regarding the results of their investigation.
Drugs and alcohol do not appear to be a factor in the crash, according to officials. Speed is not suspected as a factor in the crash, according to Sgt. Reyes of the California Highway Patrol, although all aspects of the crash are being investigated.
“The objective of the MAIT Program is to provide CHP with the means to conduct in-depth investigations and analyses of major traffic collisions throughout the state,” according to a CHP website. “Investigations include the reconstruction of an incident and a study of the factors that may have contributed to the incident.”
Previously, Reyes said the driver acted in accordance with the law after the collision.
Back in August, hundreds came to several memorials held for Stift, a popular, well-liked student.
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You weren’t there and don’t know what happened. Stop being so quick to judge. It was most likely an accident. This is sad for both parties. One lost their life and the other has to deal with killing a classmate for the rest of his.
I know the stretch of road, I know where it happened, the time of day, etc…. Do I think the driver hit her on purpose…no. But where she was hit, she would have been quite visible from at least 100 yards or more. Maybe he sneezed, He was looking at the radio, picking up something off of the floor. I don’t know…..but I do know that he should have seen her. This accident has changed his life forever, but at least he had the chance for it to be changed. Jennifer never had a chance. The family needs closure. 9 months with no answers is hard on the family.
I know the stretch of road, I know where it happened, the time of day, etc…. Do I think the driver hit her on purpose…no. But where she was hit, she would have been quite visible from at least 100 yards or more. Maybe he sneezed, He was looking at the radio, picking up something off of the floor. I don’t know…..but I do know that he should have seen her. This accident has changed his life forever, but at least he had the chance for it to be changed. Jennifer never had a chance. The family needs closure. 9 months with no answers is hard on the family.
I agree Valerie, I run that road and drive it daily. There are dark spots, however where she was hit was exposed and hard NOT to see..At that age texting is very popular, wonder if they checked the phone records for that.
Maybe an accident….but had the driver been looking at the road….she should have been seen. Maybe he was distracted looking in the rear view mirror….idk….but had he been looking at the road it wouldn’t have happened. I know the road and the spot where the accident occurred and there was nothing to impair his view. I’m sad that he will have to live with this for the rest of his life, but at least he has a chance to live. Jennifer does not.
My daughter went to school with Jenny and does know the boy who accidentally hit her. He called for help and held her until emergency came. The sad thing is they both knew each other.
Accidents still have fault assigned to them and he should be at fault for the accident. Being charged with manslaughter is a completely separate thing.
Eric Holloway, I’m sure the boy who accidentally hit her is living every day with heart ache! Are you such cold hearted person that you think he should get manslaughter!!! I think you need to re think your comment!
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46 Comments
Still? Are you fricken kidding me? The person who hit her should be in jail for manslaughter by now.
Whew – well there you have it. Case closed!
Thanks for solving that one Eric.
not if it was an accident…
Unless she was unseen due to unlit areas. Perhaps it was sheer bad luck on both parts. A true tragedy.
You weren’t there and don’t know what happened. Stop being so quick to judge. It was most likely an accident. This is sad for both parties. One lost their life and the other has to deal with killing a classmate for the rest of his.
True. I wasn’t there. But if it was my daughter or your daughter, I doubt you’d be so sympathetic.
Eric don’t be quick to judge especially when you have zero facts.
Eric don’t be quick to judge especially when you have zero facts.
Eric don’t be quick to judge especially when you have zero facts.
Eric don’t be quick to judge especially when you have zero facts.
I know the stretch of road, I know where it happened, the time of day, etc…. Do I think the driver hit her on purpose…no. But where she was hit, she would have been quite visible from at least 100 yards or more. Maybe he sneezed, He was looking at the radio, picking up something off of the floor. I don’t know…..but I do know that he should have seen her. This accident has changed his life forever, but at least he had the chance for it to be changed. Jennifer never had a chance. The family needs closure. 9 months with no answers is hard on the family.
I know the stretch of road, I know where it happened, the time of day, etc…. Do I think the driver hit her on purpose…no. But where she was hit, she would have been quite visible from at least 100 yards or more. Maybe he sneezed, He was looking at the radio, picking up something off of the floor. I don’t know…..but I do know that he should have seen her. This accident has changed his life forever, but at least he had the chance for it to be changed. Jennifer never had a chance. The family needs closure. 9 months with no answers is hard on the family.
I agree Valerie, I run that road and drive it daily. There are dark spots, however where she was hit was exposed and hard NOT to see..At that age texting is very popular, wonder if they checked the phone records for that.
And he doesn’t know what happened?
I’m sure the driver knows what happened, but he has lawyer….so……we know nothing
I’m sure the driver knows what happened, but he has lawyer….so……we know nothing
I see… :(
I see… :(
Wow! Snails pace. Ridiculous!
…I’m assuming you’re basing this on your many years of accident investigation experience?
Have to wonder whose kid was the driver at this point.
Was it a kid driving the car?
Yes it was a 17 year old.
Bad deal for both. Hard to blame a youth, unless they were drunk or impaired.
Bad deal for both. Hard to blame a youth, unless they were drunk or impaired.
The driver was neither drunk nor impaired. Very sad but completely an accident. Broken hearted for both sides.
The driver was neither drunk nor impaired. Very sad but completely an accident. Broken hearted for both sides.
Maybe an accident….but had the driver been looking at the road….she should have been seen. Maybe he was distracted looking in the rear view mirror….idk….but had he been looking at the road it wouldn’t have happened. I know the road and the spot where the accident occurred and there was nothing to impair his view. I’m sad that he will have to live with this for the rest of his life, but at least he has a chance to live. Jennifer does not.
Woah they said b4 august, what the “H”????
It was an accident
My daughter went to school with Jenny and does know the boy who accidentally hit her. He called for help and held her until emergency came. The sad thing is they both knew each other.
Wow, what a sad story. Rest in peace.
Very sad.
Very sad.
I’m a mom and my prayers are with her mom. Devastating to her and her family. I’m so sorry.
I’m a mom and my prayers are with her mom. Devastating to her and her family. I’m so sorry.
Heartbreaking!!! This was an Accident!!! Peace and love to her family.
My heart goes out to her family. So tragic.
God bless!!
That street and curve and setting sun, we’ve all had a blinding moment while driving when the sun sets.
hai
Accidents still have fault assigned to them and he should be at fault for the accident. Being charged with manslaughter is a completely separate thing.
Amanda Norwood this was us
Did the driver veer off the road or was she in the street ?
wow
Eric Holloway, I’m sure the boy who accidentally hit her is living every day with heart ache! Are you such cold hearted person that you think he should get manslaughter!!! I think you need to re think your comment!