A Los Angeles jury found Nicole Linton, 41, guilty of murder Friday afternoon for a high-speed crash that killed six people and caused severe devastation in a busy South Los Angeles intersection. The collision occurred on La Brea Avenue near Slauson Avenue and involved Linton driving her Mercedes at approximately 131 mph into multiple vehicles, leading to a fiery wreck that authorities described as resembling a war zone.
The victims included Lewis, 42; Lynette Noble, 38; Asherey Ryan, 23; Ryan’s 11-month-old son, Alonzo; Ryan’s boyfriend, Reynold Lester, 23; and Ryan’s unborn fetus, whom prosecutors say was killed when the force of the crash tore the fetus from her womb. The intersection was reported to have been littered with burning debris and blood. The jury, which deliberated for about three hours, convicted Linton on an “implied malice” theory of murder, meaning they concluded she engaged in reckless conduct that knowingly endangered human life, even if she did not intend to kill.
Prosecutors depicted Linton as someone who was dealing with anger and frustration over her job at Kaiser Permanente hospital in West Los Angeles, where she worked as a traveling nurse. They argued she deliberately accelerated her vehicle into the intersection despite prior episodes of violent and erratic behavior linked to untreated bipolar disorder. Prosecutors said she had not taken her medication or slept for several days before the crash, and that she had a documented history of dangerous driving and confrontational incidents while off medication, including one instance in which she allegedly drove through red lights at 100 mph.
Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Antonella Nistorescu maintained that Linton alone could have prevented the crash by seeking help for her mental health issues before getting behind the wheel, emphasizing her repeated recklessness in similar situations. District Attorney Nathan Hochman described the crash as the result of Linton using her car "as a high-speed missile," causing traumatic injuries and fatalities to the victims and survivors.
In contrast, Linton’s defense attorney argued that she suffered a seizure moments before the collision, causing her to lose control of the vehicle. Medical experts called by the defense, including a neurologist and psychiatrist, testified that the seizure was the cause of the crash, and they contended that prosecutors failed to establish a direct link between Linton’s bipolar disorder and her driving at the time. The defense also noted that no medical professionals diagnosed Linton with a seizure disorder such as epilepsy and denied claims that she faked the episode. They argued the case was a tragic accident and cautioned jurors against allowing emotions tied to the fatal outcomes to influence their verdict.
Victims’ family members expressed strong opposition to the seizure defense, with Asherey Ryan’s sister, Shashanna Kerr, stating her belief that the crash was intentional rather than a medical emergency. Some family members held signs bearing the nickname "Slauson Six" for the victims during the trial, underscoring the extent of their loss.
Linton showed visible emotion upon hearing the verdict and now faces a sentencing hearing in December, where she could receive life imprisonment. Her defense counsel was not immediately available for further comment following the verdict.