PCH — Detectives with the Los Angeles County Sherrif’s Department on Monday were still looking for witnesses to a deadly crash on Pacific Coast Highway that took the life of a 13-year-old Malibu High School student.
Emily Rose Shane was struck and killed while walking home along the right shoulder of PCH near Heathercliff Drive, Saturday around 5:11 p.m. Deputies arrested Sina Khankhanian, 26, on suspicion of murder and plan to file thier case with the District Attorney’s Office in the coming days.
Detectives said they are particularly interested in an Asian man in his 20s who was seen taking photos of the crash site shortly after the accident. Anyone with information on the crash is asked to contact deputies at (323) 890-5500.
Authorities believe Khankhanian may have deliberately crashed his car, leading to Shane’s death. He told deputies that he was under the influence of alcohol and prescription drugs, however, his blood-alcohol level was below the legal limit. Authorities are still waiting for the results of toxicology reports to see if there were any drugs in his system.
Khankhanian was driving a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer.
The scene of the crash is next to a shopping center, where bus stops and other pedestrian magnets are located on a section of highway without sidewalks.
The girl’s death came 24 hours after a 43-year-old Santa Monica resident James Stellar was killed about four miles to the west. His car was struck by a vehicle that had drifted onto the wrong side of the highway when its driver dozed off, Lt. Scott Chew said.
David Corona, a 19-year-old Oxnard resident, told deputies he fell asleep at the wheel late Friday afternoon. His car drifted across the center lines and was going west in the eastbound lanes when it broadsided Stellar’s car as he attempted a left turn from westbound PCH onto Broad Beach Road.
Corona was hospitalized following the crash, but his condition was not available, and investigators have not decided yet if charges will be filed.
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