LOS ANGELES : Officers Raising Funds for Family of Accident Victims

Two Los Angeles police officers are raising funds for the family of a 7-year-old girl who was killed this week as she was walking to school with her sister.

On Monday morning, Lara and Gezella Ramirez were walking to school in San Pedro when a passing car’s brakes failed, causing the driver to strike the two girls, ages 7 and 8. Lara was killed and Gezella was hospitalized and remains in critical condition.

Officers Curtis Jackson and Joe Barrera of the LAPD’s South Traffic division began soliciting contributions from police officers Wednesday and toured the department’s South Bureau police stations Thursday. Jackson said the money will go to help defray medical and funeral expenses and to buy Gezella a gift.