| For Immediate Release Case # 11HF1960 September 17, 2013 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami
|
WOMAN TO FACE TRIAL FOR HIT-AND-RUN CRASH CAUSING MAJOR INJURIES TO FAMILY AND 4-YEAR-OLD GIRL
SANTA ANA – A woman faces trial today for hit-and-run after crashing her vehicle into another car driven by a mother and causing major injuries to the driver, her son, and a 4-year-old girl. Sarwat Yasmine Syed, 43, Ladera Ranch, is charged with one felony count of hit and run with permanent injury and one felony count of hit and run with injury. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of four years in state prison. Opening statements are scheduled to begin this morning, Sept. 17, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-44, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
At approximately 12:30 p.m. on June 20, 2011, Syed is accused of driving her sport utility vehicle (SUV) in the second lane on the northbound side of Interstate 405 just Irvine Center Drive in Irvine. Syed is accused of slamming into the side of a Honda Accord driven by 41-year-old Annette D. who was driving with her 9-year-old son Gavin A. and 4-year-old girl Ava O.
Syed is accused of being involved in the collision that spun the victim’s vehicle off the road and slamming into a concrete culvert. Immediately after the crash, the defendant is accused of continuing northbound on the freeway for nearly a mile without stopping to check on the victim’s vehicle. Syed is accused of driving away from the scene without providing any identification or assistance to the victims.
Paramedics arrived and treated the victims for fractures. Ava O. suffered multiple fractures to her face and required surgery. California Highway Patrol investigated this case and arrested Syed on Aug. 1, 2011.
Deputy District Attorney Patrick Moss of the Felony Panel is prosecuting this case.
###