Nicole Linton worked as a traveling nurse before being charged with killing six people in a high-speed car crash in Los Angeles. She appeared in court with her attorney, Jacqueline Sparagna. The defense plans to call a neurologist specializing in epilepsy and seizures to testify that Linton had a seizure and “froze” at the wheel, causing the devastating accident.
According to Sparagna, the evidence reviewed by the doctor supports the claim that Linton had a seizure. She stated that Linton’s lack of sleep for several days could have triggered the seizure.
Sparagna argued that people who fall asleep at the wheel go limp, but those who experience a seizure tense up, which would explain why Linton’s foot remained on the pedal.
Among the victims were Asherey Ryan, who was pregnant, and her 11-month-old son Allonzo. Her boyfriend, Reynold Lester, also lost his life in the crash. The family was on their way to a prenatal appointment when the tragedy occurred.
Prosecutors argue that a psychiatric evaluation performed on Linton showed no signs of a seizure. They claim that Linton accelerated her car for at least five seconds, reaching speeds between 122 and 130 mph, before crashing into the intersection of La Brea and Slauson avenues on August 4th last year. Video footage of the incident reveals Linton’s Mercedes colliding with multiple vehicles and bursting into flames.
Prosecutors referred to the high-speed crash as a “NASCAR-worthy performance” that contradicts the defense’s claim that Linton was unconscious or incapacitated.
Linton has pleaded not guilty to six counts of murder, as well as five counts of vehicular manslaughter. She is currently held in a county jail without bail.
The preliminary hearing for Linton’s case is scheduled for April 17. Sparagna has not revealed the name of the neurologist they plan to call as a witness but described them as a “leading expert” in seizures and epilepsy. According to the attorney, Linton has a history of mental health issues and has experienced seizures in the past.
Sparagna asserts that Linton’s mental health issues, acknowledged by the government’s own doctors, indicate that she could not have committed murder.