A young Long Beach woman's life was tragically cut short earlier this month, following a collision in a parking lot that has sparked a police investigation. On the afternoon of November 2nd, the Long Beach Police Department responded to an incident on the 2200 block of Bellflower Boulevard just before 4 p.m., as reported by KTLA.
Upon arrival, law enforcement found 19-year-old Grace Edwards on the ground with severe upper body injuries. Despite being rushed to the hospital in critical condition, her injuries proved fatal, and she passed away three days later. The driver of the vehicle involved, a 2015 Lexus IS250, was identified as a 39-year-old Long Beach resident who stayed at the scene and cooperated with the authorities.
Investigations into the crash have led authorities to believe "distracted driving is believed to be a contributing factor in the collision," according to statements obtained by both KTLA and an official press release from the Long Beach Police Department. However, no further details regarding the nature of the distraction or the events leading to the collision have been publicized.
The community has been asked to aid in the ongoing investigation, with officials urging eyewitnesses to step forward. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact LBPD’s Collision Investigation Detail at 562-570-7110. For those wishing to remain anonymous, tips can be submitted through L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or online at lacrimestoppers.org. In these moments of loss, the mechanisms of justice and public safety pivot on the axis of community engagement, and the hope is that clarity and resolution may arise from collective concern and action.
