Los Angeles prosecutors say traveling nurse Nicole Linton’s actions were “conscious and deliberate” in the moments before she caused a crash that killed 6 people on August 4.
Linton’s lawyer had argued that she suffered an “apparent lapse of consciousness” when she ran a red light and plowed her Mercedes-Benz into cars at an intersection.
The fiery crash killed six people and injured seven others. Among the victims was a pregnant woman and her her 11-month-old son.
HOW DID SHE SURVIVE THIS??! This is so scary. Rest In Peace to the 6 lives lost. I hope Nicole Lorraine Linton rots in prison for life. pic.twitter.com/42RNcYdzSY
— Mamba Out ???? (@kcjj_04) August 9, 2022
According to Linton’s attorneys, the Houston nurse was previously diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and struggled to find appropriate mental health treatment for years.
However, analysis of the Mercedes-Benz’s on board computer shows Linton floored the gas pedal and reached a top speed of 130 mph before running the red light.
“Further analysis reveals that her speed at impact was in fact 130 mph and that she floored the gas pedal for at least the 5 seconds leading into the crash, going from 122 mph to 130 mph,” the prosecutor’s office stated in a court filing obtained by the LA Times on Friday.
The court documents stated Linton had “complete control over steering, maintaining the tilt of the steering wheel to keep her car traveling directly toward the crowded intersection.”
“This NASCAR-worthy performance flies in the face of the notion that she was unconscious or incapacitated,” the prosecutors said.
Her attorneys had asked the court to release Linton into a mental health treatment facility “where she can be monitored and treated for her illness.”
Linton remains in jail on a $300,000 bond.
