The Antelope Valley Times

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Palmdale woman dies in head-on collision Sunday

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ANTELOPE VALLEY – A 57-year-old Palmdale woman was one of two drivers killed Sunday morning after a head-on collision on the 14 Freeway, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Carolyn A. Ormston died at the Antelope Valley Hospital after the two-car crash. The other driver, a 39-year-old man from San Jacinto, died at the scene. The man has not been identified pending next of kin notification.

The collision occurred around 8:20 a.m., Sunday, May 6, on SR-14, north of Red Rover Mine Road, according to a CHP report.

Ormston was driving a 2004 Cadillac south on SR-14, when she swerved to the left, crossed the dirt median, and ended up in the northbound lanes of SR-14, according to the CHP report.

Ormston’s vehicle collided head-on with a 2008 Dodge traveling north on SR-14. The 39-year-old driver of the Dodge was not wearing a seatbelt and died at the scene, according to the report.

Ormston’s passenger, 51-year-old Billie Casey from Los Angeles, sustained major head trauma. She was transported to Antelope Valley Hospital from treatment.

The passenger in the second vehicle, 50-year-old Donald Cook from Rialto, also sustained head trauma and is being treated at Antelope Valley Hospital.

The collision is under investigation. The roadway was blocked until about 1:30 p.m., due to the collision.

Updated 5/7/12: The other driver killed in the head-on collision has been identified as Ruben James Nieto Jr., 39, of San Jacinto.

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Filed Under: Palmdale

32 comments for "Palmdale woman dies in head-on collision Sunday"

  1. i just want to say thay i know her from work. really nice lady very happy all the time, and a great cook we had a potluck at work and i will never forget her. may the lord have her and the other victims by his side….

  2. Carolyn Ormston drove me to school and back every day last year and every day she made all of us feel safe in her hands. She picked us up every morning at 6:30 AM with a smile and a good morning. Never in my nine years of bussing have I experienced a bus driver as consistent or kind. For years I dealt with bus drivers that got me to school late. Ms. Ormston got us to school 20-30 minutes early every day without fail. If the bus was ever more than 3 minutes late to pick us up, we knew it was because she was out sick. She was someone that we could always depend on and she was the epitome of a great driver. I’ve been crying since I heard this news because this woman made an impact with her kindness through the simplest smiles and caring words. My heart goes out to her family. I can’t even imagine the impact she has had on all of your lives.

  3. My daughter got off her school bus today crying she just got the news that mrs.ormston passed away. She took and brought my daughter home safely to me for two years and I made sure she new that I was thankful for her driving. She went out of her way to get at her bus stop extra early so that I can start my morning commute. She will be missed its tragic that ppl had to die may god be with all those involved in this accident .

  4. Auntie Carolyn was a great, strong woman. She was a wonderful driver thats why she worked as a bus driver and she was unconscience at the time of the accident. My condolences go to the other family as well. But please understand that this was an accident and you wouldnt want anyone slandering your deceased loved ones. Im never going to get to run down the street from my Grammys house to go sit and talk with my Auntie again. Both of our families are suffering great losses right now so before anyone tries to speak words of hate remember GOD CALLED FOR THEM AND THEY LEFT THIS WORLD BEHIND. ONLY GOD KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED AND ONLY HE CAN JUDGE!

  5. You are correct. We should get the facts before we strat judging!However,
    we live in a thoughtless society. We often believe anything that we hear
    because of sensationalism, excitement and the thril of it ! Thats why
    slander,gossip,backbiting and scandal sales so well. Just the facts !
    It is an old saying ” The best witness submits his evidence before he is
    asked for it !” Millions of people base their assumptions on speculation
    and conjecture ! As a national speaker I would like to introduce to the
    public the science of reasoning !!! Yes,just as there is a method to
    the madness, there is also a solution to the madness !!!

    abdulaskia@yahoo.com

  6. CAROLYN WAS A WONDERFUL FRIEND. I TOLD EVERYONE THAT SHE WAS MY “MOMMA CAROLYN”. THIS WHOLE SITUATION IS ABSOLUTELY TRAGIC AND MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO NOT ONLY THE CASEY FAMILY BUT THE NIETO FAMILY AS WELL.

  7. I was a victim of a head-on-collision! It was terrible.My neck was broken,
    I suffered back injuries and head concusion! Actually I was stunned as I
    watched the van heading straight toward me ! That crash turned my whole
    world up-side down !!! It took a long time for me to adjust to on coming
    traffis, I always felt that someone might veer in front of us,especially
    if i wasn’t driving I didn’t feel the driver would be faster enough to dodge an on coming collision or even thought it was possible ! It is such
    a horrible experience. Physically I have neer fully healed from the
    injuries.It is unbelievable that someone could be so careless in such
    a dangerous situation.

    My heart goes out to all the people affect by this situation. I know
    on a personal level it just earth shaking and unbelievable. My prayers
    and deep regards go out to the families.

    abdulaskia@yahoo.com

    • My sister, Billie Casey the passenger in the car that collided with the dodge says my sister driving had passed out and veered to the left. I believe it was a heart attack.
      What ever happened my sister Carolyn is anything but careless. you can’t hold down a bus driver position with LAUSD being careless. It was an unfortunate accident

  8. To my Cousin, Ruben James Nieto, JR. that was killed, is this horrible accident when the vehicle driven by Carolyn crushed him, killing him instantly. He was a loving father, husband, brother, uncle. He did not get the chance to live to see 40, nor will he get the chance to see his three young children grow up. His youngest is only seven. He was a victim of unfortunate chance. I love you Junior… I will miss you… Rest in peace…

    • may God give all the family members and friends comfort in this tragic
      moment/My heart goes out to you.

    • I’m sorry for your lost, i had a lost as well. Mrs.Carolyn Ormston. My aunt would never hurt anyone, this was an accident. My aunt went into a coma and my God mom (Billy Casey) tried to stop the car but couldn’t. If my aunt Carolyn could bring him back she would in a heartbeat. My family is so sorry, please understand that we both lost a love one who left ppl they love. Again were so sorry for your lost, and i pray for peace in your family and for him to heal your heart. And i pray for peace for the kids as well.

      • Toyia, thank you for your kind words. Based on on the comments that have been posted about your aunt, it seems that she was a great lady. And I’m sure that a great lady like her would have never done any intentional harm to anyone. This is an extremely tragic accident and please let your loved ones know that I, his wife of 16 years, harbor no ill will torwards your aunt or any of you. I cannot afford to fill my heart with anger and hate because it would dishonor my husband’s memory. Although my 3 kids will never see their father again, I am thankful they are all old enough to be able cherish all the wonderful memories they have of their father. This gives me great comfort which will help my family heal someday. My condolences to all of you for the loss of your aunt. I know they are both in heaven watching over all of us. :-)

        • I am the older sister of Carolyn Ormston. I am not usually on face book but I am glad that I saw your comment. I can’t begin to tell you how that day still seems like a dream to me. My sister lives 4 houses down from me. She was not only my sister, but my friend. I can’t even imagine how you and you children are coping with this. God is our only hope, look to him for strength at this time. Our family prays for your family.

  9. After, hearing about one of the CASEY SISTERS dying in an accident – I cant’ help but to think about Heaven has another SINGING ANGEL. I shall pray for the family for God to give them strengh that noone else can as they go through their grieving process. GOD IS THE ANSWER. LOOK TO THE HILLS FROM WHENCE COMETH YOUR HELP.

  10. OUR LOVE AND DEEPEST SYMPATHY GOES OUT TO ALL THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF THESE WONDERFUL LADIES. CAROLYN WAS A TRUE FRIEND TO MY HUSBAND AND MYSELF FOR A LONG TIME. SHE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED. SHE WAS ALWAYS QUICK WITH A SMILE AND A JOKE IF YOU NEEDED TO SMILE. SHE WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR HEARTS! GOD BLESS YOU LOVE! KAREN AND JOSE

  11. I am friends of the man who was killed Ruben and he has 3 small children who will now not have a father. Very very tragic and shocking news. Ruben will be missed by his whole family. Our whole community of Hemet and San Jacinto mourn this wonderfull man and lovin father and husband. Rest in Peace Ruben

  12. may god bless Carolyn Casey’s soul and the family through this time she was truly a friend and angel may she rest in peace and may her sister make a full recovery my prayers are with the family

  13. May god be with your family,so sorry that god took his angel(CAROLYN)she was my coworker at lausd and i will miss her smile.cedric and stephanie terry..

  14. I am broken hearted, Carolyn has been my friend for over 20 years. She will be greatly missed.

  16. These women (Carolyn and Billy) are my aunts. Billy is my God mom and its still unbelievable. Billy is in critical condition and is in need of prayer. Please keep our family in your prayers. Thank you. R.I.P Auntie Carolyn i love and miss you so much :”’-(

    • So sorry for you loss. My heart goes out to both families. I will pray for Billy and all the families involved. Co-worker of LAUSD.

  17. I’m so sorry, this is a little to close to home, I just hung up with Beverly, and I’m devastated. Condolences and prayers for all the family. Be grateful for your days, we never know when it’s time to go.

  18. Both of the women in this collision where my aunts ,
    they were both great women and appreciated life and family,
    it sucks how they died but i guess God has called MY aunt carolyn home and decided that he still had a plan gor MY aunt billie.

    -i still feel in MY heart that MY aunt Carolyn is still here.
    ILoveYou Auntie Carolyn and Auntie Billie
    R.I.P Auntie Carolyn,
    We will met at the cross road soon:)
    (Save me a spot in those beautiful gates in heaven)

    LOVE your nieces, Xaubria&Jada

    • I’m sorry for your loss ladies. Stay strong through this as you carry on in your lives. It could be the tallest order of your lives, but very doable. Celebrate the time you were blessed with your Auntie. She would prolly want it that way…but, what do I know. Godspeed…

      • Mrs. Ormston, Thank you for all the times you made sure our children made it safe to school and back home. You were my child’s driver for two years and was upset to found out that for senior year, your route had been changed (and parents upset with the replacement). My child always looked forward to seeing you as the driver when you were occasionally assigned to our area. I always got a text message stating Mrs. Ormston is taking us to school! You were a “cool” person and to my child that is someone of high regards and a person of respect. Please continue protecting our children through their journeys and travels in life, from heaven. May God bring peace upon your soul and your family.

  19. Clyde, thank you for your kindness as I had read your step-sons story earlier I believe was involved in a motorcycle accident. I pray he has a successful recovery!!! Youth is definitely on his side, which is a Blessing! If I remember correctly the driver fled, if that’s true I pray they find the heartless person who did this….

    Carolyn Ormston is a coworker of mine from LAUSD….my condolences to the family, May God wrap you in his arms and comfort you in your time of sorrow. I’m so sorry for your loss….To the other family who lost your loved one, God Bless you!

    • Deniece, thank you. You’re correct about a motorcycle crash, but we know who the irresponsible party is. You’re referring to another unfortunate soul out in Littlerock who was the victim of an attempt murder & run. I heard about another horrific crash on the same street my step son was nearly killed on; 45th St. West & N. Ya know, people need to pay more attention when they drive their MISSLES. down the frickin road. To me, there’s a difference between “a driver” & “one who just drives”. “A driver” uses turn signals, really uses their mirrors & pays close attention to their surroundings. “One who just drives” does none of those aforementioned attributes. 8 out of 10 times they’re the ones that cause families tremendous grief & sorrow. I’m sad for the Cornett family as well as the others involved in mindless driver’s errors.

      • Carolyn Ormston drove for a living and she did it well. She drove me to school and back every day last year and every day she made all of us feel safe in her hands. She picked us up every morning at 6:30 AM with a smile and a good morning. Never in my nine years of bussing have I experienced a bus driver as consistent or kind. For years I dealt with bus drivers that got me to school late. Ms. Ormston got us to school 20-30 minutes early every day without fail. If the bus was ever more than 3 minutes late to pick us up, we knew it was because she was out sick. She was someone that we could always depend on and she was the epitome of a great driver. I’ve been crying since I heard this news because this woman made an impact with her kindness through the simplest smiles and caring words. My heart goes out to her family. I can’t even imagine the impact she has had on all of your lives.

  20. Can I just say how sorry I feel for all of the families in the mix. I sit in the ICU @ AVHMC next to my beloved step son as I write this thanking whoever, or whatever I’m supposed to be thanking that he’s still with us. Our lives changed on the 24th of April because of an irresponsible driver. I feel your pain & I’m sorry for your loss.

    • My sister was unconsious, She wasn’t irresponsible……….it was probably a stroke or a heart attack. Please get the facts before you start judging.