Attorneys for Muñoz's family noted that the fatal crash occurred just three months after the teen's Lamborghini had been impounded.
"The family faced numerous hurdles from both private insurance companies and the L.A. District Attorney's office, and experienced the harsh realities of racism and bias against those from underserved communities.
"The family pleaded for the district attorney to investigate this case and met with the office dozens of times to advocate for their family," he said. "It was never about money for the Muñoz family, it was about acknowledgement of (the teen's) misconduct that resulted in the death of their only daughter and to ensure that he was held accountable.
During a juvenile court hearing for the teen last year, LAPD testified that the vehicle's speed was recorded at 86 mph five seconds before the impact, with the driver's foot "completely on the gas pedal 100%" and the vehicle's speed reaching 106 mph less than two seconds before the collision.
Authorities said the teen had been stopped by Beverly Hills police in October 2020 and November 2020 -- with body-worn video from the two stops indicating that he was cited first for driving 72 mph in a 35-mph zone and then cited for making an "unsafe start" by accelerating very fast, with that officer deciding to impound the vehicle.
In both instances, the officers noted that the teen was supposed to be driving with someone who was at least 25 under the rules of a learner's permit.
"The tragedy that occurred on that day was a long time in the making ...," Judge Helton said, calling it an "avoidable accident."
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