By Minyvonne
Burke
The family of a California Latina woman who was killed when a teenager ran a red light at almost 100 miles per hour and crashed his Lamborghini sports car into her vehicle will receive $18 million in compensation.
Monique Muñoz died on February 17, 2021 in Los Angeles.
She was making a left turn when her car, a Lexus sedan, was hit by a Lamborghini driven by the 17-year-old son of billionaire businessman James Khuri.
Muñoz, 32, died at the scene;
The teen was hospitalized with minor injuries and has recovered.
Munoz's family filed a civil lawsuit in September, according to the NBC affiliate station in Los Angeles.
His attorney announced an $18.75 million settlement on Wednesday.
Family and friends outside Inglewood Juvenile Court, where James Khuri's son pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter on April 23, 2021. Los Angeles Times via Getty Image
"Today is an important milestone because the Munoz family can finally bring closure to this horrible tragedy," attorney Daniel Ghyczy said in a statement to the news station.
Investigators indicated at a juvenile court hearing that the teen was traveling 86 miles per hour five seconds before the crash and that the driver's foot was "completely down on the gas pedal 100%," according to NBC Los Angeles.
The authorities assured that about two seconds before the crash the vehicle was going 106 miles per hour.
Vehicle data showed the teen braked, but authorities said the car only slowed to between 77 and 92 miles per hour when it collided with Munoz's vehicle.
The speed limit in the area was 35 miles per hour.
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The teen, whose name was not released by authorities because of his age, was sentenced last year to serve seven to nine months in a juvenile facility after he admitted a court petition charging him with vehicular manslaughter.
Ghyczy, the Munoz family's attorney, said the lawsuit was never about money.
"The family faced numerous obstacles, both from insurance companies and the Los Angeles District Attorney's office, and suffered from the harsh realities of racism and prejudice against people from disadvantaged communities," he stated.
Muñoz's family had expressed their dissatisfaction with the agents' delay in arresting and charging the teenager, implying that the wealth of the minor's family had played a role.
Police said the teen was not taken into custody until days after the crash because he was in the hospital.
Sabrina Cartier attends a march calling for justice for the death of her cousin Monique Muñoz in front of the Los Angeles District Attorney's office on March 19, 2021. Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag
[“My soul came back to me”, says the mother of the baby who was kidnapped and found almost 20 hours later]
"It was never about money for the Munoz family, but about acknowledging [the teen's] misconduct, which led to the death of his only daughter, and ensuring he was held accountable," Ghyczy said.
"Today's settlement is a testament to their efforts and is a step closer to justice," he concluded.
Khuri posted a statement on Instagram and said she hopes the deal will help Munoz's family "build a new beginning that honors her spirit."
“As a parent, we expect the best for our children and words cannot describe how we feel when horrible things happen to our children.
It saddens me that nothing can bring Mrs. Monique Muñoz back from the car accident between her and my son
,” she said.
"My deepest condolences to those who knew her and miss her," she added.
