Pedestrian Hit by Car Is Brain-Dead

A pedestrian struck by an out-of-control car in Hollywood is considered brain-dead, and her mother--hit at the same time--is in serious condition, Los Angeles police said Tuesday.

Catherine Williams, 22, was on life support at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, but is not expected to live, said Det. Antonio Lee. Williams’ mother, Gloria, 55, also was at Cedars-Sinai.

The two were standing at a phone booth on the west side of Highland Avenue, just south of Hollywood Boulevard, when the accident occurred at 7:15 p.m. Monday, police said. Marcos Salaman, 55, who was driving north on Highland, veered across the center line, ran up on the sidewalk and hit the women, police said. Salaman, who suffered lesser injuries, also was hospitalized.

In the event of Catherine Williams’ death, a charge of felony vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence will be pursued, Lee said. Toxicology screenings showed that Salaman was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs, police said.