Mother killed, daughter in critical condition after multi-vehicle crash in Hawthorne

Loved ones are devastated after a mother was killed and her daughter remains in critical condition after a multi-vehicle crash in Hawthorne. On May 17, April Clements, 42, and her 17-year-old daughter, Jada, were struck by a speeding driver at the intersection of Imperial Highway and Inglewood Avenue at 11:49 a.m. Authorities said the driver of a pickup truck ran a red light before slamming into several vehicles, one of which was carrying the mother and daughter.  “That man came down the street going 80 miles an hour or more,” said witness Travis Williamson. “Nonstop, no breaks, no trying to swerve out of the way, just plowed into those people.” Emergency crews extricated April and Jada from their wrecked vehicle and rushed them to the hospital.  April died from her injuries shortly after arriving. After several surgeries, her daughter, Jada, remains in critical condition and is fighting for her life. Friends said Jada, who is still unconscious, was likely not aware that her mother had passed away. “When they pulled [Jada] out, she was semi-conscious and they took her right to the hospital,” said Donna Robinson, a family friend. “So at the time, she did not know her mother did not survive the accident. Then they put her into a medically induced coma and she’s been that way since she’s been at the hospital.”  “She’s 17, so this is going to be very hard,” said Spencer Davis, April’s best friend. “Everyone needs their mom, so we’re going to be there for her.” Friends said April worked two jobs to provide for her daughter. The two always spent time together and were loved by their neighbors. “On Sunday, we were supposed to go out and barbecue,” said neighbor Clarita Pollard. “I went to the store, got some hot wings, but [April] didn’t come back through the door and she’s not coming back and that’s hard.” Friends and family gathered at the Hawthorne intersection on Wednesday night for a candlelight vigil to honor the mother and daughter. “There’s still debris in the street,” Davis said tearfully. “It’s just very overwhelming. It’s still very shocking that this happened to a very good friend of mine and her daughter.” Loved ones and community members said they want justice and to see the suspect driver face criminal charges. They also hope the deadly incident serves as a reminder for travelers to slow down and be careful when driving. “The next time you think about speeding, think about what can happen,” Robinson said. “Slow down,” Davis pleaded. “If you’re going so fast, things like this can happen and then your life is over.” A GoFundMe page created to help April and Jada’s family with funeral and medical expenses can be found here.