The Region - News from Jan. 2, 1985

A Santa Monica woman was booked for investigation of murder after police said her Lincoln Continental sedan crossed the center divider on South Figueroa Street and smashed head-on into a van, killing the driver and seriously injuring two passengers. Paula Horrigan, 23, was in fair condition in the jail ward of County-USC Medical Center with a broken pelvis and facial cuts, traffic Sgt. Frosty Neimeyer said. Police believe that “she was under the influence of unknown drugs,” Neimeyer said. Test results were pending. James Jones, 62, of Los Angeles died en route to California Hospital shortly after the accident at Figueroa and 48th streets. Passenger Ella Barrow, 44, and Barney Crowe, 50, both of Los Angeles, suffered serious injuries. Witnesses said the Lincoln appeared to be going at “excessive speed” and had already “hit the curb pretty good” a few blocks before the accident, Neimeyer said.