Posted by lowintense on May 30, 2007 at 4:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You think the writer of the story could tell us what date the trial starts?

Posted by AnnaWhaat on May 30, 2007 at 5:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Are you going?

Posted by Ventuckey on May 30, 2007 at 8:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Maybe they should put a freeway through like what was originally planned for the 118? Nope, Save our Somis doesn't want that, they'll just sue the county again for even thinking of improving this deadly highway.

Posted by singlemom1 on May 30, 2007 at 8:48 a.m.

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Posted by Anita_Corona on May 30, 2007 at 8:49 a.m.

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Posted by AnnaWhaat on May 30, 2007 at 9:11 a.m.

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Posted by AnnaWhaat on May 30, 2007 at 9:14 a.m.

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Posted by AnnaWhaat on May 30, 2007 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Coffeecup, If you followed the article from the beginning you would have remembered how the roads were being worked on. The lines in the road were all messed up, an accident waiting to happen.
I Can NOT say that she was or wasn't at fault in this terrible accident. But I know she didn't intentionally hit that car. Unfortunately it was a terrible accident ! Many lost thier lives, and another injured probably for life. All I am saying is lets not throw stones and let her have a trial and found at fault or not. If you knew Ashley you would know that she loved all people. People just shouldn't come on here calling her names when they do not even know her. She is facing 7 felonies here. Lets let the system decide if she was truely at fault or the roads were so messed up in caused the error.

Posted by AnnaWhaat on May 30, 2007 at 10:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

DrDNA, I agree completely. Its not going to make anyone come back to life. As sad as that sounds. It will not change what happened. She is a great Mother !!! And what ticks me off is how someone comes online and calls someone white trash about five times in thier comment when they are hispanic. Even the poster, if its her real name. Should know that ! People who resort to name calling are very childish in my books.

Posted by smithjc on May 30, 2007 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

sorry folks, but this was not an "accident", it was a collision. "accident" implies that there is no fault, no way to have prevented it, it just "happened". this was preventable. driving with due prudence and caution would have prevented it.

were the roads being worked on? immaterial, in that one must adjust one's speed accordingly, so that one's speed is not greater than safe based on weather, traffic and ROAD CONDITIONS. really, if the roads are being worked on, that's all the more reason to slow down and focus on the task at hand: driving.

is she a "great mother"? once again, immaterial. what does that have to do with the FACT that she killed seven people. i'll bet that the mom and dad that got killed were probably great parents, too. and the kids were probably great kids. they might have grown up to cure cancer. but we'll never know, will we, because ms ponce's actions killed them.

i'm sure she didn't set out that day planning to kill seven people. that, too, is immaterial. she was criminally negligent and ended seven lives. she now must answer for that.

Posted by singlemom1 on May 30, 2007 at 10:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

smithjc,
If you knew all the facts about the case I would say that you are right, but your not there are alot of things that played a part in that ACCIDENT. I think that if you don't know her or anyting about the case you should keep your negative comments to yourself. Who said she was speeding? Maybe she was going at a slower speeed for the road conditions. You don't know you were not there were you?

An accident is an accident no matter how you look at it.

Annawhaat,
I see that Delia has not commented back. I agrre with EVERYTHING you have said and it is nice to know that there are still some good hearted people in the world. Ashley did not set out that day to hurt, or kill anyone. She has to live with this for the rest of her life as do the family of the poeple who passed. Going to prison is not going to solve anything.

Posted by ROLL_IT_UP on May 30, 2007 at 10:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

smithjc, if the two people killed were "good parents" they would have had thier kids in car seats and seat belts. They weren't wearing any of the saftey devices required by law. DeliaMoreno, sounds to me like you have a personal issue with Ashley and no idea about anything you're spouting off! This was a tragic accident, something Ashley and her family think and pray about every day!

Posted by soyculay on May 30, 2007 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I drove through that exact area the day after the accident and tried to understand how her vehicle diverted into the turn pocket. My only conclusion was pure negligence and can't see it in any other way. Maybe hanging her is not the answer, but accountability must be done for the lives of 7 people.

Posted by ROLL_IT_UP on May 30, 2007 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree concerned_citizen, those people had too many people in the van. Infact, they had one more person in the van that they had dropped off right before the accident. Their children were not properly restrained and neither were the adults. That stretch of road will always have accidents, as will every other road that people drive on. Accidents happen, thats a fact. Calling some one racist names or jumping to conclusions about her family, children and income isn't the issue in this trial.

Posted by sydney on May 30, 2007 at 11:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Right on Moreno!!!

Posted by martin.gonzales on May 30, 2007 at 11:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow, this is tragic. This is actually the first Ive heard of this. Anyhow, alot of factors can play into why this happened. For some reason the only one that pops into my mind right after reading the article would be "ROAD RAGE".
I have seen the nicest people turn into Straight Up Road Demonds. I have also experienced people cutting me off and slamming brakes. So you never know who can be behind the wheel and what inpatients or running 10 minutes late can do. SO this just reminds myself and hopefully everyone else, DRIVE with Caution.

Posted by Equitable_Enforcer on May 30, 2007 at 11:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"I don't see how music or radio is distracting," McGrath said. That statement is so outrageous as to warrant a recall.

Recently I "happened" on an accident where a young lady, while texting her boyfriend, sideswiped a parked vehicle. The result was severe damage to both vehicles. Was she distracted? You bet! Was Ms. Ponce similarly distracted? Probably!

We all have the responsibility, when driving a machine that can become a lethal weapon, to drive at a rate of speed which is safe for road conditions, even if the road is under construction.

The legal maneuvers and judge's approach indicate that legal correctness may once again reign over justice.

Posted by blessedwpatience on May 30, 2007 at 11:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

smithjc, WELL SAID. Coffeecup also well said. singlemom what about smithjc's comment was negative? I didn't see smith say that she was speeding??? And obviously she was either going a little faster than she should have or not paying attention because she rear ended these folks van hard enough to push them into oncoming traffic. We all don't know what exactly happened because we weren't there. The only ones who know is her and God. Do you think she is really going to tell exactly what happened? Heck no... And her going to prison may not solve anything in your book. But to these folks family it might solve it for them. Oh and lets not forget Mr. Eli Neiderhiser who may have a lifelong injury because of this.

Posted by Sweets on May 30, 2007 at 11:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I would sue the "city" and Caltrans and why not "save our Somis" and the people for not putting there voice out there loud enough. We all no its no secret that the 118 needs to be re-done soon before another family gets killed. Why waste your breath on a blogger who spoke her tasteless mind. The people need to get together and start a petition to get the 118 worked on. And for Save our Somis it could be your family next. Everyone needs to look at the picture as a whole. Its a very sad story. I happen to know the family of Eli and its very very sad. No one came out a winner or better then the other or less then the other. If you hate our legal system then do something about it.

Posted by NothingButTheTruth on May 30, 2007 at 12:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Some points to ponder:
1. The article says she is being charged with MISDEMEANORS, not felonies. That is a D.A. decision.
2. 22350 Vehicle Code: "No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of
persons or property."
3. The VC saying what it does begs the question was the speed Ponce was driving 'greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for all the items the code mentions... including this construction zone...? Did her speed endanger the safety of the Covarrubias family & Mr. Neiderhiser? Hmmmmm... crushing people in two cars... hmmmm done by a slow car? Nope.
4. Construction zone: Ask how hundreds, if not thousands of OTHER drivers drove through the SAME location WITHOUT crashing? Answer: Maybe they were driving slower; maybe they were driving more attentively, having due regard?
5. Whether you call it an "accident" or "collision", I doubt Ponce "intended" to cause the crash: But she did.
6. To her family & friends, I'm sure she is a great person, but if it were someone they didn't know who killed 7 members of their family, I think they'd be singing a different tune.
7. Should she be prosecuted for doing so via misdemeanor charges? Well, 7 people died and someone has to step up to the plate and accept responsibility for moving their vehicle the way they did on SR 118 with its prevailing conditions.

Posted by Equitable_Enforcer on May 30, 2007 at 12:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So, I guess it is society's fault. Sigh!

Posted by signs19 on May 30, 2007 at 1:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

so I have a question do you any of you know whats going on with Brandy (Singer) the one that got in a accident on the freeway in L.A. and a woman died. I haven't been following up on that. accidents are accidents.. I think that the 118 is a very dangerous road especially going the speeds 55 -70 on a two lane road... I rather take the freeway than the shortcut, but sometimes i take my chances and take the 118 cause if something happens it happens for a reason right?. I just feel for everyone in this and praying for the lady and hopefully God will put her in the right place.

Posted by signs19 on May 30, 2007 at 1:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

RCamacho you have the initials of my cousin. I like that silly screen names in cyber space... they dont understand that making stupid comments can get to the family.. I havent buried 7 at once but i have been buring 6 in the past 8 years.. My prayers go out to you and your family.. God Bless

Posted by Comments on May 30, 2007 at 1:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

rcamacho, I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am for your family's loss. I have not attended a funeral for 7 family members, but I did attend one for 5. When I was a teen 5 family members were killed in a fire when the hotel they were staying at on vacation burned due to faulty electrical wiring. The grief is unspeakable and permeates the entire family and all those who know them. The healing takes many, many years and no one ever forgets.

I don't know the facts of this situation other than what I've read in this paper. It's so easy to have an emotional response since it's such a tragedy. Having said that though, I will say that I do feel sorry for Ashley Ponce as well. Only she knows what really happened at this point and in the end will have to live with result of her actions - accident or not.

Be well.

Posted by glfixer on May 30, 2007 at 1:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How can anyone say she was negligent?... I've driven that road a thousand times .... it's a death trap ... and even more so with the construction that was going on....just take a look at all the accidents that have occured in that area. All's it would take is the blink of an eye to not be able to stop in time and rear end another car in front of you. Yes, this was a tragic accident, and it doesn't really matter whether the girl was having a bad day or listening to loud music ... I wonder how many times you all have had bad days, or listened to loud music while driving ...I think that the prosecution is really reaching because this was such a horrible accident. Seven lives were already taken, one ruined ... why make it one more? I'm absolutely floored and outraged that this is going to trial ...there's so many more criminal cases that they can spend their time and energy on ... what's wrong with this society ?

Posted by singlemom1 on May 30, 2007 at 2:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

glfixer
Right on! Well said.

Posted by recicar on May 30, 2007 at 2:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We have all dont things when we were young, and thot "I cant believe we did that, thank God no one was hurt" Ashly Ponce will have to carry this cross for the rest of her life. She is a good person and a good mom, trying to take care of her kids and make a life for them. My heart goes out to the Covarrubias family, I am praying for them and for Ashley. I dont understand the heartless comments made here- so many are suffering, in both families. Be careful how you judge someone, life can turn on you in a heart beat. Let's pray for both families!

Posted by AnnaWhaat on May 30, 2007 at 2:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Smithjc,You have alot of good points. But please do not make it appear that it was intentional. Your right Im sure the family that was killed were also a great family also and may God rest thier souls. But please do not resort to name calling on a situation where people do NOT know what happened that day.........

SingleMom1, Thankyou for your comment....you seem like a very intelligent woman who isn't out to put a Mother in prison for an accident. Which is what it was. Sure she is going to pay a price for what happened. She will pay the rest of her life. Do you think a day goes by that she doesn't think about that day? Thankyou for having a heart !

Rollitup, Your right negligent played a part in both parties. Had those children been in car seats and buckled up they may be alive today. Not saying the victims here were bad. Just pointing out that we all can make a terrible mistake.....

tgallanis,WRONG ! Many people came online and made statements about the road conditions and no lines painted on the road. And as for your degrading someone its really none of your business. Although she started out young.....as I did ! Her kids Dad is alive and well and supporting them ! NOT YOU! So dont have a heart attack !!!!!!!!!!

Concerned Citizen,God Bless you !!!!!!!

Martin GOnzales,Road rage? You have got to be kidding right !!!!!! In no way was that a factor or even considered. I cant believe you said that ! You do not know Ashley. She would give you the shirt off her back !!!!!!!

Nothingbutthetruth, If that is what is has been changed to then good. But from the court case I have followed it was felonies. FYI....

Glfixer,Thankyou,great comment and someone with a heart.

RCamacho, I am so very sorry for the loss of your family members. And my prayers will always be with all of you! Forgiveness heals the heart. God be with you and all of your family !!!!

Posted by Anita_Corona on May 30, 2007 at 3:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's so sad that a family member has to come out and clear things up because we simply speculate or because of people like Delia come out and speak nonsense. so sad!

Posted by richmary11 on May 30, 2007 at 4:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

delia, you apparently, Can't Understand Normal Thinking!!!

Posted by smithjc on May 30, 2007 at 7:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

annawhaat, perhaps you should re-read my (sole prior) post in this matter. i don't see anywhere in it where i engaged in any name calling.
also, i did not state or imply that ms ponce went forth deliberately and with malice aforethought to be involved in a collision and kill people. in fact, the last paragraph of my post starts with the phrase, "i'm sure she didn't set out that day planning to kill seven people." it doesn't require deliberate intent to be involved in a collision. but, it was not an "accident". an accident is something that happens by chance, without an apparent cause, and completely unavoidable. collisions by their very nature always have a causative factor and there is something, sometimes even just one minor thing that sets it in motion. this is the "primary collision factor". the leading cause of injury collisions year after year is "unsafe speed". (you can look it up in the chp switrs report if you like. the leading cause of fatals continues to be dui). so, again , while she probably didn't set out to kill people, it occurred either because of unsafe speed for road and traffic conditions(the impact bears this out), inattention (loud music, possibly adjusting the stereo, other information that she may have been preoccupied with work problems) or any combination of these and other items. however you slice it, it is still not an "accident" as there is a factor that could have prevented it. when that factor causes injury or death, it becomes negligence, something for which one needs to be held accountable, especially if that factor is a violation of the law.

Posted by AnnaWhaat on May 31, 2007 at 7:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Smithjc, I re-read your comment. My guess is I read someones else and thought it was yours. Sincere apology !!!!!!! Please except.
I wish the others that had commented about the accident when it happened and were on the roads would come back online and post about how easily someone could have became confused with the road conditions. In My eyes-an accident, meaning something happened that wasn't meant to be. She didn't set out to get into this accident. Its a terrible tragedy. And my prayers go out to ALL involved in this story !

Posted by martin.gonzales on May 31, 2007 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I SAID ROAD RAGE, i didnt say she was a selfish person...... AnnaWhaat, if you say there hasnt been a time were u have been pissed of at the wheel , then your a liar, its happened to everyone im sure. I am a very calm, assertive person myself.. have i ever gotten angry behind the wheel? Yes. To do anything drastic, no. It was a possability, i didnt say it was a fact. You yourself appear to get angry posting a comment in a forum....Would you be one to get angry behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. I would "assume" so soley based on your reaction. Statisics state that Women in general roadrage more often then men. If you need a link, here it is http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04...
I will say it once again , for those who may not obtain all that ive said to begin with... IT IS A POSSIBILITY.

Posted by singlemom1 on May 31, 2007 at 12:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

martin.gonzalez...
I dont think that the comments made by AnnaWhaat are in any way angry, maybe to the point, but at least she knows what she is talking about and not saying things that are POSSIBLITIES and putting nonsence thoughts into peoples heads. I think that the things that she says are right on. Hopefully your not going to be driving any time soon, I can feel the road rage coming.

Posted by martin.gonzales on May 31, 2007 at 1:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

singlemom1,

People are adults and come to thier own conslucions ,wherether my statement infulences them or not. If I so happened to plant a seed and it starts to grow, it is because of the nurishment one has placed upon it, not because I planted it. For one to not go over every "possibilty", would be to view this situation in a very "narrow spectrum." For you to say a person "knows what she is talking about" states that everything said is based on fact or knowledge of what happened..My dear, I highly doubt she knows "the facts." So, indeed her opinion is also a "possibility" of what MAY have happened.
Angry? nah never, open for an opinion and rebutal/debate on any worthy topic? ALWAYS.

Posted by blessedwpatience on May 31, 2007 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You tell her martin.g cause she has been making it seem like she was there in the car.

Posted by rebel123 on May 31, 2007 at 4:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hitting a vehicle from behind is a clear indication of either going to fast, following to closely, or not paying attention. All of these are negligent driving. This young woman's personality is not a factor, nor is her ability as a mother. Seven people were killed due to her hitting that van. The DA has to do something. Whether or not it results in jail time is a whole other issue. She will likely get probation. But it is a catastrophic loss of life, not to mention the destruction of another (Eli is still a quadriplegic)and she was the cause. Clearing the way for a trial is not wrong or outrageous. If she was not negligent, it will come out in the trial.

Posted by AnnaWhaat on June 1, 2007 at 7:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

MartinG, Its just the fact that I know Ashley and she isn't that type of person. And yes your right. I haven't actually had road rage but I have chased three grown men down after they made a rude remark about how slow I was walking across the street. I wear a leg brace ! And yes I did follow them until they finally stopped. In a residential area. I also asked them how they would feel had someone said that to thier Mother !!! And Had them apologize! And they did ! And I did feel better after that...........But as far as Road Rage, chasing another vehicle for pulling out in front of me etc. No I haven't gone to that extent.

SingleMom1, Thankyou! Actually I am a very calm and collected Mom. I dont set out to cause problems. I try to mentor and help people. But sometimes is just a loss cause.

Blessed, I can't believe you would assume that about me. I have always stood behind and agree'd to the most part on your comments. Its just when you know someone personnally and know thier personality ,you have more to comment on. I'm not saying she was definately NOT at fault.... But Im sure for a fact in wasn't intentional.

Rebel23, I do agree with the most part of your comment. And Ashley has to live with this nightmare for the rest of her life. And Im sure she would give her own life to take that one day back.

Posted by blessedwpatience on June 1, 2007 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

AnnaWhaat and I usually agree with the things that you say. However the things you have been saying in here I just don't agree with. Like when you said this

"SingleMom1, Thankyou for your comment....you seem like a very intelligent woman who isn't out to put a Mother in prison for an accident. Which is what it was. Sure she is going to pay a price for what happened. She will pay the rest of her life. Do you think a day goes by that she doesn't think about that day? Thankyou for having a heart !"

Nobody in here would want to put a woman who has children in prison. However she caused the death of not 1 or 2 people Anna it was 7 and majority of that 7 killed were babies. They won't get to go to prom, get married, or grow old. How would you or Ashley feel if it had been your children that were killed? No matter what you say or what you want to make yourself believe, your friend was negligent that day. Regardless if you feel that the roads were poorly marked it doesn't matter. How many people drove up and down that road that day that didn't get in an accident? We are all sure she didn't leave home that day and say I'm going to kill a family today and possibly cause injury to a man that will last his entire life. But she did do something, and I do mean something and we don't know what it was and I'm sure we may never know what it was that caused her to not pay attention for that quick second. There was no report saying that the tail lights weren't working on the family's van so she should have slowed when they did if the roads were in such bad condition right? I don't know maybe your just in denial or something because she's your friend and you don't want her to go to jail. It's cool who knows we might all feel that way if it was one of our friends.

Posted by Anita_Corona on June 1, 2007 at 2:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Im sure no one goes driving off thinking something like this is ever gonna happen to them but unfortunately there are some of us who sometimes drive very careless and sometimes find ourselves almost hitting someone or causing an accident - we tailgate people driving 55, we put on make up while driving, we turn to the side and left your lane, or whatever, yet we keep doing it. unfortunately, accidents happen and although I think 10000 years behind bars is not gonna bring anyone back it's a lesson we have to be taught. Cars are not only transportation means, but also deadly weapons. We need to drive and treat them as such. Very unfortunate and I pray to God that nothing like that ever happens to anyone, but in these cases prison is a way of teaching them and all of us a lesson to be careful out there. I drive to SB every morning and this same beat up junky car is always tailgaiting and even passing in the emergency lane. my thoughts is that someday he's gonna cause an accident. people can be driving 80mph and he still tailgates!! let's all be careful.

Posted by AnnaWhaat on June 2, 2007 at 8:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Patience, yes your right she has to be held to some accountability. But what good is prison going to do for her? She doesn't deserve prison.... Although some believe she does. I am so sorry for those that lost thier lives and were hurt in this terrible tragedy....
Accidents happen everyday in the world. Its just that most of them do not kill seven people. Ashley has to live with this also. Like I said I do believe she would give her own life to take that one day back. Have a good weekend Patience ! God Bless.

Anita,Prison is not there to teach lessons. They are there for criminals. Prison is not going to do anything but leave her children without a Mother to care for them. And taxpayer money. Maybe she can go to Schools and talk about accidents and what happens when your in one. I have seen the inside of prisons for women and they are not a place for a woman who had a unfortunate accident. Its hardcore time. There has to be another way to have her do something........... Thats all Im saying.

Posted by CALA on June 5, 2007 at 4:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Not really Are_u_nuts, if a car gets hit off to the side (rear) then the car isn't going to go perfectly straight, only one side is pushed so the car is going to turn somewhat, even if the tires are straight.

Posted by chula on June 7, 2007 at 2:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i have lived in this town for my whole life..and yes i have been guilty of driving fast or following behind someone to close..at one point in your life you have done this too.

for many years we needed a street light at the end of Hitch blvd. we finally got one..now they put a signal light on the high way..alot of crashes have happened on 118..many caused by on coming traffic or forth going traffic..some caused by the way the sun hits your window..this was a tragic situation..

i cried for along time driving past the site..twice a day..i always thought about my own children and if one day that may be us..
CAUTION!!! that is the key word..crashes happen all the time on freeways..and on local streets..moving fast or moving slowly..

This woman will live with this for the rest of her life..thinkin to herself if i only left a few minutes earlier or later. if i didnt let someones comment get to me(if thats the reason why she left work)if i would have taken the freeway..if i had moved the car futher to the side of the road, not so close to the on coming traffic..

God always takes good people first..for reasons we will never now!..with no answers to why..and sometimes some person or thing will be the one who pushes that..accident or not? is it fate or not..who nows .. but this woman will live with this for the rest of her life..

i pray for the families who had to bury the seven member of their families...and i pray more for the woman who will be in pain for the rest of her life..and i pray for the driver who will live with this for the rest of her's..

dont judge..if you haven't been in this situation..dont judge..