Driver Charged with Murder After Intoxicated Crash Kills Toddler on Maine Avenue

The Incident

On a Monday morning around 11:30 a.m., a 55-year-old Long Beach man allegedly reversed his vehicle over a curb, striking a 20-month-old girl, her 45-year-old mother, and the child's young cousin who were standing outside an apartment building in the 400 block of Maine Avenue near downtown Long Beach.

The toddler sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead. The mother and young cousin suffered serious injuries requiring immediate medical attention.

Charges Filed

The driver, identified as Lamont Ivan Russell, has been charged with multiple serious offenses:

• Murder
• Gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated
• Driving under the influence causing injury
• Driving with a blood-alcohol level above legal limits resulting in injury

Impaired Driving and Civil Liability

DUI crashes are among the most devastating and preventable tragedies on our roads. When a driver chooses to operate a vehicle while impaired, they put every person nearby at risk. In cases like this one — where a child has been killed and family members seriously injured — the consequences are catastrophic and irreversible.

Beyond the criminal case, victims and surviving family members may have the right to pursue a civil lawsuit against an intoxicated driver. Damages in such cases can include:

• Wrongful death compensation for the loss of a child
• Medical expenses for surviving victims
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of companionship
• Funeral and burial costs

Seeking Justice for DUI Victims

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed by a drunk or impaired driver, Culver Legal is here to help. Our personal injury attorneys have extensive experience representing victims of DUI accidents throughout California. We work on a contingency fee basis — no fees unless we win your case. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.