The Antelope Valley Times

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Woman killed in Lancaster traffic collision [updated]

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The fatal collision happened in the intersection of Sierra Highway and Avenue I, sheriff's officials said. [Photo by LUIS MEZA]
The fatal collision happened in the intersection of Sierra Highway and Avenue I, sheriff’s officials said. [Photo by LUIS MEZA]
LANCASTER – A female driver was killed Monday morning when her vehicle was broadsided by a pickup truck in a Lancaster intersection, authorities said.

A 2012 Honda Civic was traveling westbound on Avenue I in the No. 1 lane at an unknown speed, officials said. [LUIS MEZA]
A 2012 Honda Civic was traveling westbound on Avenue I in the No. 1 lane at an unknown speed, officials said. [LUIS MEZA]
The fatal collision happened around 6:55 a.m. Monday, Sept. 7, in the intersection of Sierra Highway and Avenue I, according to Sgt. David Jennings of the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station.

The woman was driving a 2012 Honda Civic westbound on Avenue I in the No. 1 lane, at an unknown speed, when she was broadsided by a 2000 Dodge Dakota truck that was traveling northbound on Sierra Highway in the No. 2 at approximately 55 miles per hour, Jennings said.

A 2000 Dodge Dakota truck was traveling northbound on Sierra Highway in the No. 2 at approximately 55 miles per hour, officials said. [LUIS MEZA]
A 2000 Dodge Dakota truck was traveling northbound on Sierra Highway in the No. 2 at approximately 55 miles per hour, officials said. [LUIS MEZA]
“Both parties entered the intersection simultaneously,” Jennings said.

The truck’s driver “said he had the green light for his direction of travel. A witness at the scene was stopped eastbound Avenue I for a red light, however, there was no witness to the westbound light cycle,” Jennings stated in a news release.

Both parties were transported to Antelope Valley Hospital, where the female driver was pronounced dead. Her name has not yet been released, but she is a 33-year-old Lancaster resident, coroner’s officials said Tuesday morning.

The pickup truck’s driver “received minor, non-life-threatening injuries,” Jennings said.

Anyone with information on this collision is encouraged to contact traffic investigators at the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station at 661-948-8466.

Heather M. Martinez [Facebook photo]
Heather M. Martinez [Facebook photo]
UPDATE: The deceased has been identified as 33-year-old Heather M. Martinez of Lancaster, according to coroner’s Assistant Chief Ed Winter.

Martinez was a manager for Del Taco and she was on her way to work at the time of the collision, according to loved ones who created an online fundraiser.

“She leaves behind two children who will miss her very much. We are asking for help in paying for her funeral costs. Anything will help out this family in need,” the fundraising page reads.

To donate to this effort, visit: http://www.gofundme.com/tf3n4678

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Filed Under: Lancaster

50 comments for "Woman killed in Lancaster traffic collision [updated]"

  1. First off I would like to thank the people who left kind words for my sister. The ones who left the negative remarks I hope you never have to feel the pain our family is now. Think who might read what you put. My niece and nephew have seen this and it put them into tears. PLEASE STOP IT! if you feel you must continue plus contact me. Im her Brother John Martinez.

  2. No one cant leave the AV there isnt other place in California that will put up with such a large community of welfare SSI and low income Housing or crime or anything else toxic why would any one want to leave a community dump where the thugs run a muck. The people who say I hate the AV is really the biggest supporters here why leave a place that really accepts and tolerates such vile here in the AV.

    • Don’t pay this person any mind she is a regular commener as am I just ignore it act like you don’t even see it actually if uyou see that nickname I would just skip it

  3. KARMA, Sometimes God takes those who have done bad to others. She was no Angel. My condolences to the children involved.

    • you are sad, I see where you could have left out the bad part and just said condolences to her children, does it really matter if she was bad or good, she is dead, leave it to God to sort out.

    • It’s sad that her daughter just read this, she is the only one you hurt with this comment and what did she ever do to you. Your the bad person..

    • J whoever you are, you are an asshole. A person died whether she was a angel or not. I pray nobody says that about you when you die.

    • Her mother and children may read this you jerk. I have known her from her birth and your opinion is not welcome here.

  4. So sad to hear I have known you for a long time and you were good friends with my mother you knew what I wanted as soon as I walked in and knew the way I liked it RIP I love and miss you

  6. My Dear friend I’m so saddened to see my child hood friend gone. I’m prayen for ur family and children. Great mom great friend a tru angel u will be missed! Rest in peace.

  9. God Bless you and your children!! You were a young mother going to work and trying to !take it in this hard world!!! I pray your children will be okay! Again God Be with you Angel!! I’m so sorry this happened to you!! RIP

  10. My heart is saddened to hear such horrible news. Such a friendly women, always extra nice to my family and knew my voice and order before I ever made it to the window. Such a hard-working women on her way to work another day to support her family. I am so very sorry for her family’s loss and especially her children! I will miss seeing your happy face!

  12. May this young lady rest in peace, and may her family find comfort in this time of need.

    Hopefully this raises the discussion in regards to speed limits in the AV. Major streets should not have speed limits of 55 MPH.

    • The speed limit is fine if everyone just followed the rules. Jaywalking for example, I don’t want to have to drive in slow motion just because some lazy [removed] doesn’t want to wait for a crosswalk.

      • “J” Is correct. Changing it to even 45 may not have saved her life, Pay attention to traffic lights saves lives. People keep shifting blame where it does not belong.

    • The posted speed limit in that part of Sierra Hwy is 50 – if the truck driver had been traveling at or below that, he wouldn’t have been in the intersection at the same time as the Honda.

      Sad day for both parties.

      • It is very sad for everyone involved but if she hadn’t run the red light it wouldn’t have happened either, can’t really put the blame on the truck driver.

        • You cannot assume she blew the light for a simple reason. There may have been a left arrow along with a steady green for westbound traffic. She may have had the right of way and the truck driver could be lying. We don’t know, but I do know for a fact that the sun was rising from the east, and traffic sensor will recognize the sun as headlights and give a green light for that side.

        • I take you work for the police department and have inside information. You are assuming that she is at fault because she has no voice in this. Do you not think her children read the paper. Grow up, and think first

    • So glad we don’t put you in charge, or a trip to LA would take 9 hours. Sorry, but accidents happen. You don’t see me advocating for the ban of donuts because there are fat people, do you?

    • I agree. The speed limits in the AV are so out dated. this valley has grow extremely over the last 25 years. Fatality accidents out here happen to often.

    • No, if your rear wheels have cleared the white line prior to the light turning red, you are legally in the intersection. If this was the case, the N/B truck would have been waiting for a green and could not have reached a speed causing that impact in the distance of half an intersection. The clue here is the E/B vehicle was waiting at a red. Enough technicals, the primary subject here should the loss of a mother of 2 children.

      • “rear wheels have cleared the white line”?…..and where in the vehicle code is that explained? Too many wanna-be lawyers out there.

        • Maybe I should have called it the limit line instead of the white line. If your rear wheels clear it as in all your wheels fully inside the intersection, and your not speeding, when it turns red, no law was broken. I know nothing about law, but a CHP officer explained this to me. I have a 2015 Vehicle Code book, but since it’s available on line why don’t you prove me wrong? Me, I’m going along with the guys that write the tickets.

          • So think about it. Why your rear wheels? Have you ever heard of Google? The Calif Veh Code says don’t “enter” on a red. It has nothing to do with yellow. Yellow is just a warning. if for some reason, enter means “rear wheels”, let’s hear about it.

          • If your front wheels are just entering the intersection as the light turns red it means you are ‘racing’ the yellow. Yellow means to slow to a stop if you have time and space. Normally the yellow is just long enough for about 1.5 cars travelling at the speed limit to cross the intersection. So your rear wheels need to be clear of that line to avoid an officer interpreting it as ‘racing ‘ the yellow.

  14. Ur my angel now!!! U will be missed sooooo dearly… Erik..dylan…and i will always have fond memories of u!!!

  15. My thoughts and prayers go out for Heather and her family and friends. May she not only rest in peace but continue on with God watching over her loved ones and caring for the friends she has not yet met. Assuredly I say to you, that she does live on unperceived by the senses of the flesh but very much present in the spirit. Much love to All.

        • I apologize if my sarcasm wasn’t strong enough. I knew Heather and I will miss her. Bob’s narrative caught me at the wrong time and I responded in haste. His comment did not add anything to this story and was unnecessary. I should have shown more restraint. My deepest condolences to her family.

    • You know if you hate the AV sooooooo much then move the f””” out. This accident does not need your comments about AV

      • Jo’s reply should definitely headline almost every article posts in the AV Times. Hearing people complain about the AV is getting way too old already and it’s annoying. If you hate the AV, then pick any highway or freeway and head towards the exit. Get out and shut up.