yellow and black Lamborghini car seat covers

In world news, many think about Los Angeles as the high-speed chase and car accident capital of the world. Now, L.A. can add fatal speeding Lamborghini accidents to its notoriety. The surviving family members of a tragic loss were awarded $18.85 million, according to car accident attorney Michael Ehline, who we interviewed over how this fatal crash occurred.

With deepest condolences, our heart goes out to the survivors of wrongful death, like this avoidable accident that killed Monique Munoz. We hope underserved communities like her family will have a new beginning in their efforts to get back on their feet after such an alarming loss just because someone ran a red light in a Lamborghini.

Attorney Ehline stated that a wrongful death settlement was obtained against the at-fault, then 17-year-old driver, according to news reports. For sure this case represents a significant milestone for lawyers and victims subjected to gross negligence such as Brendan Khuri’s misconduct, who only had a learner’s permit at the time.

The Ehline law firm stated it was among the biggest personal injury settlements in California history for a wrongful death case.

Lamborghini SUV Fatal Crash FACTS

Monique Muoz, 32, was slain on her way home from work at UCLA Health on February 17, 2021, according to CBS Los Angeles. She was driving west on Olympic Boulevard, about to turn left onto Overland Avenue, when the driver of a Lamborghini SUV jumped a red light and collided with her car at more than 100 miles per hour based on a story the City News Service contributed to detailing the $18.85 million settlement with the Khuri family in West Los Angeles.

Defendant Also Had Injuries Sustained

Brendan Khuri, the driver, was hospitalized with minor injuries. He was arrested about a week after the horrific collision and later charged by the District Attorney according to Brian Wendling. He pleaded guilty to gross vehicular manslaughter in a Los Angeles court, as noted below.

At a Juvenile Court hearing, Judge Sabina A. Helton stated the teen was speeding in a 35-mph zone prior to crashing, declaring: “The tragedy that occurred on that day was a long time in the making …” This was “avoidable accident,” said judge Helton and inferred it was irresponsible for the boy to be driving a “very high-performance car.” He was condemned to seven to nine months in a prison camp in October for the crash that killed Monique Muñoz by Judge Sabina Helton.

Since he was underage at the time Munoz died, the defendant’s identity was previously hidden. But now it is revealed. He is the son of James Khuri, a rich local businessman. According to the Monique Munoz family’s attorney, Daniel Ghyczy, James Khuri, and his father wrote on social media about “illegal speed exhibits” on L.A. surface streets before the fatal crash occurred.

Teen’s Lamborghini SUV, A Deadly Weapon

“Although Brendan Khuri had only just acquired his license, he had already had many run-ins with law enforcement, one of which ended in his Lamborghini SUV being confiscated by the Police Department of Beverly Hills,” Ghyczy stated in a news statement verified by the Beverly Hills Police Department.

Ghyczy said that the SUV was returned to the defendant by his father less than two days after it was seized, and three months before the deadly collision.

Defendant’s Father Charged With Contributing to Delinquency of a Minor

Officer Brian Wendling told reporters that Khuri was charged with a misdemeanor for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

During a restitution hearing on the settlement Wednesday, a judge decided to continue the hearing to a later date, and the family’s total monetary recovery could exceed $25 million. So it appears the family can finally get some closure for this horrific tragedy.

Munoz Family Faced Numerous Hurdles?

Before the family of Hawthorne woman killed in the Lamborghini crash reached the $18 million settlement with insurance companies, they faced some daunting issues, possibly even some harsh realities of racism. “Today is an important day because the Muoz family may finally find closure for this heinous event.”

“The family pleaded for the district attorney to investigate this case and met with the office dozens of times to advocate for their family,” said Ghyczy offering a statement of acknowledgment by the Los Angeles Times.

“For the Munoz family, it was never about money; it was about acknowledging Brendan Khuri’s misbehavior, which resulted in the murder of their only daughter, and ensuring that he was held accountable.” The settlement reached in Los Angeles weeks ago represents a “tribute to their work and a step closer to justice.”

Did You Endure a Car Accident in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has been home to a string of accidents that have claimed at least 21 lives over the last several months. Private insurance companies are typically deplorable in their handling of a horrific tragedy like this. Even when the LA District Attorney’s Office Victim’s Services does help, a bad Lamborghini driver’s arrest won’t cover a wrongful death claim. The LA District Attorney’s Office is set up to handle criminal prosecutions, not civil law wrongful death actions.

This must be handled civilly by a qualified personal injury attorney. As the number of deaths mounts, people are questioning the safety of the roads and the driving issues.

Traffic Violations

In this case, an eyewitness told NBC4 News that the driver apparently tried to avoid a collision with a car, went off the road, lost control, and hit a light pole. Police closed a portion of Lincoln Boulevard near Sunset Blvd. to investigate after the crash.

When authorities do this, other accidents can occur, so make sure to slow down in caution zones and look for bodies and people who may have been struck. Understand that racism and bias can occur against certain victims, which is another reason why having support from a great lawyer to help is so important.

Tips To Avoid a Fatal Crash or Face the Harsh Realities

Attorney Ehline says to avoid swerving, accelerating erratically, stay off of smartphones and carry uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance. Thus, people can safeguard themselves and prevent car accidents from happening. When you cant avoid an accident at an intersection involving a hit and run or someone under the influence, call the police, sit tight, and don’t make any rash decisions.

Get to the hospital and call a lawyer before you give a statement to lawyers for the insurance company. Admitting things you don’t fully understand can kill your chances of receiving justice for a tragedy, including the wrongful death of a teenage son, daughter, or other loved one.

Not every criminal defendant will get some time in juvenile camp after a juvenile court hearing for a crash involving wrongful death. But often, courts, in the interests of justice will enforce restitution and go easier on the defendant for paying up, so to speak.

Impact of Facts Determine the Outcome?

Not every defendant will have the deep pockets of a multimillionaire businessman who owns a high-performance car, several real estate firms, and manufacturing companies located in West Los Angeles. Ehline says don’t always expect to receive a yield of $18 million like this settlement to the surviving Muñoz’s family, is a testament to many factors, including excellent wrongful death lawyering by the attorneys representing them for their injuries sustained.

Horrible things happen in traffic accidents for a family to endure, which is why I think it’s best to hire a great lawyer with experience and time in grade handling these types of fatal crash cases in Los Angeles.