Full Breakdown
Nicole Linton Convicted of Six Counts of Second-Degree Murder for 2022 Windsor Hills Crash
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
A Los Angeles jury found Nicole Lorraine Linton guilty of six counts of second-degree murder for the August 2022 collision at the intersection of La Brea Avenue and Slauson Boulevard in Windsor Hills. Prosecutors said Linton, a traveling nurse, accelerated her Mercedes-Benz sedan to about 130 mph in a 35-mph zone, ran a red light and struck multiple vehicles, igniting a fire that killed six people—including a pregnant woman, her unborn child, the woman’s 11-month-old son, and the son’s boyfriend. The jury deliberated for roughly three hours before delivering the verdict.
Background & Context
The crash occurred while Linton was reportedly preparing to quit her position at Kaiser Permanent West Los Angeles. Prior incidents documented by Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Antonella Nistorescu included violent behavior and high-speed driving when Linton was off her bipolar medication. The defense argued that Linton suffered a seizure moments before the impact, a claim prosecutors disputed.
Data & Statistics
- Victims: Six fatalities – Nathesia Lewis, Lynette Noble, Asherey Ryan (23, eight-and-a-half months pregnant), her unborn child, son Alonzo Quintero (11 months), and boyfriend Reynold Lester.
- Injuries: Eight additional people were injured.
- Speed: Prosecutors presented vehicle data indicating a speed of roughly 130 mph; an alternative estimate from other testimony placed the speed at “more than 100 mph.”
- Deliberation: Approximately three hours.
- Sentencing: Scheduled for December 2026.
Official Statements & Responses
Deputy District Attorney Nistorescu told the court that Linton “chose to do this” and emphasized that the crash was “entirely preventable.” Prosecutors framed the case under an “implied malice” theory, arguing that Linton knowingly engaged in conduct that posed a grave risk to human life.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The only person who could have prevented this is Nicole Linton,” — Deputy Dist. Antonella Nistorescu, deputy district attorney
- “This was not an accident. This was someone who wanted to take herself out and others with her ... we knew that this wasn’t a case of a medical crisis,” — Ryan’s
- “She did it knowingly and, most importantly, she was conscious,” — Deputy Dist. Antonella Nistorescu, deputy district attorney
- “She did not know that she was going to have a seizure,” — Jovan Blacknell, attorney
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Seizure Defense: A neurologist and psychiatrist testified that Linton may have suffered a seizure, while prosecutors highlighted the absence of a diagnosed seizure disorder and cited a post-crash brain test that showed no abnormal activity.
- Speed Estimates: Prosecutors cited telemetry showing 130 mph; other testimony described the speed as “more than 100 mph,” creating a discrepancy in the exact velocity.
- Mental-Health History: The prosecution referenced prior violent incidents linked to medication lapses, whereas the defense argued that no expert testimony connected bipolar disorder directly to the crash.
What’s Next
Linton faces a potential life sentence at a sentencing hearing set for December 2026. The court will determine whether the conviction results in a determinate term or life without parole.