Police: 3 killed as car hits people leaving church

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Thursday, December 18, 2014
A driver crashed into a group of pedestrians outside a Redondo Beach church on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014.
A driver crashed into a group of pedestrians outside a Redondo Beach church on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014.
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REDONDO BEACH, CA -- The coroner says two more people have died after a driver hit a group of pedestrians outside a California church. The death toll is now at three. Nine other pedestrians were injured.

According to police, the crash happened around 8 p.m. outside of St. James Catholic Church in Redondo Beach, where a Christmas performance had just ended.

A woman was driving a white Saturn northbound on Pacific Coast Highway through the intersection of Vincent Street when she ran a red light, struck the pedestrians, and hit another vehicle, police said.

Two of the victims who died were identified as 87-year-old Saeko Matsumura of Torrance and 81-year-old Mary Wilson of Torrance. The identity of the third victim was not released pending notification of next of kin.

The driver, who has not been identified, was arrested for felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter.