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Long Beach Woman Killed in DUI Crash on 91 Freeway in La Palma

The victim was riding in a vehicle driven by a suspected drunken driver early Saturday.

A 29-year-old Long Beach woman was identified Saturday as the passenger who died after being ejected from a car that overturned in a DUI crash on the westbound Artesia (91) Freeway in neighboring La Palma.

Christine Gilbert, 29, was taken to La Palma Intercommunity Hospital after the 2:40 a.m. Saturday accident and pronounced dead about 25 minutes later, according to the Orange County Coroner's office.

The victim was riding in a car that struck another westbound vehicle east of Walker Street, according to the California Highway Patrol. The driver lost control of the car which then overturned. Gilbert was ejected from the vehicle and struck a "fixed object," according to the CHP accident report.

The driver of the car in which Gilbert was riding was later arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, according to the CHP.

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Ray September 16, 2012 at 03:22 pm
Not strict enough...no trial...should be automatic 7 years in jail no plea bargain or reduction no probation nor community service.If fatalities are involved - automatic 15-20 years to life.
steve liberman September 16, 2012 at 04:56 pm
No, we should make the consequences of these thoughtless actions VERY severe. Jail should be the first step. They should be forced to lose EVERYTHING home, car etc. After jail they should be forced to work at a morgue to see the results of their selfish actions! Judges need to stop babying these people!!
megan virdin September 16, 2012 at 06:22 pm
Be quite people make mistakes
Summer Shleffar September 16, 2012 at 07:00 pm
I knew Chrissy and she was a hilarious, gorgeous, smart girl. She choose not to drive that night because he had been drinking. Unfortunately, she decided to get in the car with a driver that had been drinking and thought she was okay to drive. This is unbelieveably sad and unfortunately happens every day. This driver needs to go to jail for the rest of her life. She took Chrissy's life away, she doesn't deserve to have her freedom. RIP Chrissy
Nancy Wride September 16, 2012 at 09:14 pm
Summer, first, so sorry for your loss of your friend. Can you share more about Chrissy and where she was prior to the accident? How do you know that she is the person in this story? What is her last name? She has not officially been identified as the passenger killed in this crash, but how do you know Chrissy and what else can you say about her? We would love to have a photo, as well, if you have one. Thank you so much--Nancy.
JoAnne September 17, 2012 at 12:25 am
Chrissy, my heart is broken. Love you, always.
Joe Lane September 17, 2012 at 01:01 am
Nancy--She has been identified. http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_21556902/victim-artesia-91-freeway-crash-la-palma-idd
casey ligon September 17, 2012 at 01:23 am
Yes I knew Chrissy too and am going to really miss her. She was a great friend and a joy to be around...be at peace darling Chrissy
Nancy Wride September 17, 2012 at 02:08 am
Joe, my oversight, sorry. I even read this story, just forgot it when I commented hours later, apologies. JoAnne, friends of Chrissy's, will you tell us more about her, please?
Diana S September 17, 2012 at 02:48 am
Nancy-I am a friend of Chrissy's. She was a beautiful, extremely smart girl with a bright future. She loved to travel and loved her family, especially her nieces.
Jarrod Hardison September 17, 2012 at 01:23 pm
She was a bridesmaid in my wedding. My wife is devastated. My prayers go out to the family.
Heather Cummo September 17, 2012 at 09:13 pm
Chrissy was one of my good friends and my sisters' best friend. She was a very unique, loving, fun, outgoing and fantastic friend and person! I am quite pissed that this girl driving didn't think before she drove! She killed my friend because she couldn't wait to sober up!! I hope she is prosecuted and goes to jail for a long time!!!
anonymous123 September 17, 2012 at 09:42 pm
https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/dMYUa?psid=dfec0930a2bd49efba10eba2dcd74a6b
anonymous123 September 17, 2012 at 09:45 pm
^^^Sorry to I failed to add a caption to the link above. If you would like to help the Gilbert family in this there time of great sorrow please click on the link above.
MarieSam Sanchez (Editor) September 17, 2012 at 10:19 pm
Hi Summer, Casey and Heather. I am so sorry for your loss, death is always hard to deal with but in these circumstances I cannot even imagine how painful it must be. This story has been read so many times already, and it sounds like Chrissy was truly loved. Could each of you please email me? I along with the Long Beach Patch editor Nancy are trying to talk to some of those who knew her personally and see if we can find out more about her life, which was lost so tragically. -- mariesam@patch.com, Patch Editor.
MarieSam Sanchez (Editor) September 17, 2012 at 10:20 pm
Diana, I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. Do you think you can email me? We are trying to reach out to some of Chrissy's friends and family to do a follow up on this story. ~ mariesam@patch.com, Patch Editor
powersweet September 17, 2012 at 11:58 pm
Im a friend of the driver,and the driver is very devastated herself..Im very sorry for your loss,i know this has to be very heartbreaking,im sorry for her family and my prayers are out there..The driver as well is in complete distraught over this tragedy,i hope people could not judge..They both got in the car...Not just the driver
gjen September 18, 2012 at 12:00 am
Im a friend of the driver,and the driver is very devastated herself..Im very sorry for your loss,i know this has to be very heartbreaking,im sorry for her family and my prayers are out there..The driver as well is in complete distraught over this tragedy,i hope people could not judge..They both got in the car...Not just the driver
gjen September 18, 2012 at 12:10 am
Also the articels in the paper donot state that they were hit by another vehicke that caused my friend to loose control,and chrissy was not wearing a seatbelt..Im not approving of what happened by all means..I feel sorry for all partys involved,but the driver is a very close friend,and alot of things besides the drinking should be brought to attention,like wearing a seatbelt..Sorry for your loss again.
Gary-James Gunnarson September 18, 2012 at 05:34 am
Forcing offenders to work in a morgue as a form of punishment or even as a potential future deterrent is a direct violation of our 8th amendment right.
bee September 18, 2012 at 10:31 am
Drunk drivers who kill should get life in prison!
bill September 18, 2012 at 10:45 am
i cant judge the driver as the whole story about the accident has not come out, but this is an everyday occurance, dui laws have been enforced to the max and will get toughter in time. bill
Mazy September 20, 2012 at 03:48 am
Judge... by who's power does anyone have the rites to judge another. The loss is tragic and although people are hurting for this loss it serves no purpose to talk about the driver in a way that is inhumane. That driver will be prosecuted by law so try not to persecute.
mommabear September 20, 2012 at 11:17 pm
Please don't try to justify this because the driver is your friend.Accidents, injury and death occur everyday because those who have been drinking have gotten behind the wheel.Chrissy chose not to drive because she knew she was not capable.Unfortunately, she also was not capable of judging the driver's ability.But the driver had been drinking, knew she had been drinking and was aware it was not legal, but still chose to drive anyway.Tragically,too many drunk drivers think they are okay to drive.So the statement that they both got in the car does not justify her bad judgment.If Chrissy had gotten in the car, passed out and awoken later on without going anywhere, this would not have happened to her.It took the driver's act to put everything into motion.That being said, she is going to have to live with her irresponsibility for the rest of her life, with the knowledge that her actions led to the death of another.She is going to wake up everyday and remember what she did.That is going to be tough, and I would not want to have to live with that on my conscience.
Gary-James Gunnarson September 21, 2012 at 04:57 am
And for all of you who think you know the entire situation, for your information the driver who's passenger had died blew under a 0.08BAC so please feel free to criticize the situation as you feel necessary, but know this, it was the other blatant individual whose disregard for human life that caused the accident who is at fault not the driver of the victims who were severely injured in the crash. Also laws are placed with specific punishments and fines for a reason, if you infuriated individuals feel that the law is not strict enough then petition the law and do something about it, don't slander victims on the internet to try and pawn off your redundant law chatter on the internet in hopes that you can get attention, and yes I'm being attentive to this matter but only to act as a median and shine light on this murky situation and to clarify that some of your desired punishments for an offender are violations of human rights and are unconstitutional.
Teresa Weiner September 21, 2012 at 03:08 pm
Im with u Gary.im so upset Reading all these posts. Everyone is so quick to judge its sickening. all 3 girls involved are my friends, the driver is my best friend. She WAS NOT DRUNK, it was another vehicle that went into her lane and struck them causing the accident. This whole situation is tragic. Chrissy was a beautiful spirit who will be greatly missed. Everyone needs to understand how important seatbelts are...unfortunately she would not listen and put hers on, if she had maybe she would still be with us. Im truly sorry for her loss. My condolences to her family & the rest of her friends.
megan virdin September 21, 2012 at 10:33 pm
Thanx Teresa it's sad to know that u judge people even when u didnt know them she was my aunt and I hate people who judge
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