15-year-old boy killed in Brentwood car crash

A 15-year-old boy was killed in a car crash at Broadway and Hilton streets in Brentwood Friday morning after a van rear-ended the car he was riding in. Police say the victim, Jonathan Lazo, was in a

News 12 Staff

Aug 31, 2008, 12:34 AM

Updated 6,045 days ago

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A 15-year-old boy was killed in a car crash at Broadway and Hilton streets in Brentwood Friday morning after a van rear-ended the car he was riding in.
Police say the victim, Jonathan Lazo, was in a Honda Civic driven by 17-year-old Franklin Bonilla when LaPaul Phelps, of Brentwood, slammed into the back of their car.
According to investigators, the two teens had an argument with Phelps in front of Phelps? Grand Boulevard home. The boys got into their car and drove off, and police say Phelps chased after them.
Authorities say Phelps was drunk when he crashed into the boys' car, causing it to wrap around a utility pole. Bonilla survived, but Lazo died of massive head injuries. Phelps was taken into custody on a DWI charge.
?He destroyed a lot of lives,? says Lazo?s mother, Delia Ventura, referring to Phelps.
One of those lives is Lazo's unborn child. His 16-year-old girlfriend is due to give birth in December. Family members say Lazo wanted a baby girl.
?He would say he was going to name her,? says Selma Rivas, Lazo's sister-in-law. ?He couldn't wait to have her. He was just crazy for her to be born.?
Phelps pled not guilty to the DWI charge at his arraignment Saturday. A judge set bail at $250,000 and police say Phelps may face additional charges.