Passenger Killed in Highway Crash
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LANCASTER — A driver attempting to pass on two-lane Pearblossom Highway near Lancaster ran his car off the road, killing the passenger in the rear seat, the California Highway Patrol said Sunday.
Ramon Perez, 20, of Twentynine Palms, maneuvered into opposing traffic to pass a vehicle in front of him. But as he moved into the opposing lane, he noticed an oncoming vehicle and jerked the wheel to get back onto his side of the road, CHP Officer Kerri Hawkins said.
The car veered off the road and fell into a rock-strewn wash near 165th Street East, Hawkins said.
An unidentified passenger in the back seat of the car was taken to Antelope Valley Hospital Medical Center, where she died shortly after the 6 p.m. Saturday accident. Front-seat passenger Laura Perez, 20, also of Twentynine Palms, sustained minor injuries, Hawkins said.
Authorities plan to seek vehicular manslaughter charges against Perez after he leaves Antelope Valley Hospital Medical Center, where he is being treated for injuries not considered serious.
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