Family of 2 killed in crash with L.A. deputy raising funeral money

Family and friends of the two people who were killed when a sheriff’s patrol car broadsided their SUV in Palmdale are raising money for funeral services.

The collision occurred Saturday at Avenue R and 17^th Street.

Relatives of Sarah Paynter, 20, of Van Nuys, and Robert Delgadillo, 31, of Palmdale, said in separate online statements that they are in need of financial help to provide funeral services for both victims.

The families hope to raise about $15,000 to meet funeral costs. So far, they have raised $1,200.

Relatives of Paynter and Delgadillo did not respond to online requests for comments.

The fatal crash remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.

Officer Gil Hernandez said on the night of Dec. 14, a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy was responding to a call and was driving east on Avenue R when it broadsided the SUV.

Hernandez said the call did not warrant lights and sirens.

The SUV — a 1994 Ford Explorer — was carrying four people and was heading north on 17^th Street at the time of the collision.

Paynter and Delgadillo, who were sitting in the back of the SUV, were not wearing seatbelts and were ejected as the vehicle spun out of control, according to Hernandez.

Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene.

The deputy suffered moderate injuries from the crash and was taken to a nearby hospital. The condition of the deputy was not known.

Two other passengers in the SUV declined treatment.

Authorities at the time said they were not sure how fast both vehicles were traveling at the time of the crash.

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