Suspected Drunk Driver Plows Into South L.A. Apartment Killing 5-Year-Old Boy

SOUTH LOS ANGELES ( CBSLA.com) — A suspected drunken driver crashed into a South Los Angeles apartment early Thursday morning, killing five-year-old Luis Sanchez and injuring five of his family members.

A Chevy plowed into the boy's family bedroom at South Central Avenue and 28th Street at 12:16 a.m.

Luis' father was pinned underneath the car. His mother was pinned against a wall. They were listed in critical condition. Their three daughters were slightly hurt.

The driver, Vrenda Moreno, 23, suffered minor injuries.

Police said the La Puente woman was drunk and arrested her. She was held on $100,000 bail.

Emily Marin lives upstairs. She heard the crash and called 911.

"She was really really nervous. She told us to promise her that she didn't hurt anybody, that everything would be OK, that she wanted to go home to her daughter," Marin recalled.

Security video from a hamburger shop next to the apartment shows a puff of smoke when Moreno's car plowed into the apartment, police said.

The LAPD released a video that showed the suspect's car swerving to miss a four-door Saab that had made a U-turn.

Moreno lost control, crossed the double yellow lines and slammed into the apartment.

But police said she was drunk, and the driver who made the U-turn just kept on going.

Investigators want to talk to that driver to find out exactly what happened.

In the wreckage was a note the little boy had written to Santa asking for a bicycle for Christmas.

"I Luis Sanchez. I want a bike for Christmas please Santa," the boy wrote.

"Those are the things that just hit you right to the core of who we are as human beings," said Capt. Jorge Rodriguez of the LAPD.

Meantime, a community tries to help a family in need with donations and by just being there for one another.

"My goddaughter got killed by a drunk driver in 2010. So that's why I'm here today to support the neighborhood," Kassette White said.