Monique Munoz Family Seeks Justice While Teen Driver is Arrested but Not Charged
Millionaires using their privilege and position to maneuver the criminal justice system is nothing new unfortunately and that’s what the family of a Latina in Los Angeles is alleging after the son of a millionaire reportedly crashed into her
Photos: Facebook/@angiesantos/Instagram@jameskhuri
Millionaires using their privilege and position to maneuver the criminal justice system is nothing new unfortunately and that’s what the family of a Latina in Los Angeles is alleging after the son of a millionaire reportedly crashed into her. Monique Munoz, 32, was killed in LA on Feb. 17 after an unidentified 17-year-old driving a Lamborghini crashed into her car. There have been no charges filed against him even though he’s reportedly unlicensed and was driving 120 mph. He sustained head injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment, Fox reported.
“Kid’s racing down the street in a Lamborghini, 17 years old in a Lamborghini doing 120 miles per hour, hits and kills her,” Isaac Cardona, Monique’s stepfather told CBS. “Senseless.”
Fox reported that Monique was working at UCLA Health as an administrative assistant in the Beverly Hills Oncology Department and had dreams of going to law school. Her family wants criminal charges against the driver and many have taken to social media to allege he’s the son of local millionaire business owner James Khuri. In response to the onslaught of social media comments, he’s shut off commenting on his Instagram but has otherwise not responded to the allegations.
Monique’s sister, Amber Nicole, shared on Twitter that the minor is “hiding behind daddy’s money.” The hashtag #justiceformoniquemunoz has been raising awareness and people are calling on District Attorney George Gascón, who is Cuban and has a reputation for not pressing charges on certain offenses, to take action.
I lost an older sister, because a rich spoiled privileged individual wanted to race his fancy Lamborghini. He killed her. And now hiding behind daddy’s money. Yes we’re angry. #justiceformoniquemunoz pic.twitter.com/nGj81LXZmp
— ambernicole✨ (@aamber_nicolee) March 8, 2021
This morning the The Beverly Hills Courier tweeted that a 17-year-old suspect has been booked (he’s not identified as he’s a minor). There are currently no other reports of the arrest.
Breaking: A 17-year-old suspect has been booked in the fatal traffic collision that killed Monique Muñoz, 32.
The aspiring lawyer was struck by a Lamborghini SUV on Feb. 17 on Olympic and Overland.
— The Beverly Hills Courier (@BHCourier) March 9, 2021
A GoFundMe on behalf of her mother Carol Cardona was set up to help pay for funeral expenses and friends have created social media accounts to continue to inform and raise awareness. They’ve organized a protest on Olympic/Overland in West LA where she was killed this Saturday, March 13 at 2 pm.
“The child had a heart of gold, never hurt anybody, did everything right,” Cardona told CBS, adding, “I want him persecuted to the full extent of the law”. Her mom went on The Cruz Show saying she has received no updates from the DA or detectives: “It’s more frustrating knowing that this person has not been arrested.”
During an emotional interview with Fox she said, “I still can’t accept that she’s gone. It hurts so much. She was 32 and she was my baby… sometimes she would sit on my lap still. She would sit on my lap and she’d hug me. She was my baby.”
UPDATE 3/10:
James Khuri has released a statement on Instagram:
“I am aware that the time it has taken me to communicate this has caused further pain for everyone affected. Knowing that this will never do justice for the family of Monique Munoz, I want to apologize to the Munoz family for the tragic loss of their daughter. There are no words I can say to alleviate the pain that you are experiencing. And I realize none of my words or action will be able to bring back your daughter. Still, I want to offer my support in any way you will allow me to. My family and I pray for the Munoz family.”
Update: 3/11
Police said the teen was booked on Feb. 23 on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and that the case would “proceed through the judicial process.” The District Attorney’s Office said it had not yet filed charges but it’s reviewing the case. The outlet also reported that Khuri alleges his son suffered brain damage, is having difficulty walking, and just got out of the intensive care unit. This claim goes against reports that the minor only sustained minor head injuries whereas Munoz died on the scene with her car split in half, the Los Angeles Times reported.
CBS reported that Khuri also disputes claims his son was street racing and LAPD said the teen won’t be held in jail because he has not yet been charged. LAPD Capt. Brian Wendling told the LA Times his arrest was only delayed by the fact that he had to be hospitalized for his injuries. The Times reported that, as opposed to previous reports, the teen had a valid driver’s license at the time of the wreck, and alcohol and drugs did not appear to be a factor. Wendling told the outlet the Lamborghini was “flying” at the time of the crash but that they don’t believe he was street racing.
