Kelly Pham, UCLA Student From La Mirada, Killed in Saturday-Night DUI Crash

By Simone Wilson Mon., Jul. 25 2011 at 8:40 AM

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Kelly Pham's profile picture

A young UCLA graduate who had reportedly just been accepted into the university's law school was killed in a brutal crash during the wee hours of Sunday morning.

The victim, 21-year-old Kelly Pham, was riding in the passenger seat of a 2006 Mazda driven by 23-year-old Justin Drake, according to City News Service. Fullerton police say the driver was speeding down Malvern Avenue at about 1:15 a.m., heading west, when he screeched into a sharp turn at Woods Avenue:

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The Mazda smashed through a tree and into a retaining wall before coming to a stop.

Both driver and passenger were immediately rushed to the hospital for their injuries. Pham was declared dead five-and-a-half hours later at the UC Irvine Medical Center; Drake remains hospitalized, but is in police custody on suspicion of felony DUI.

Fullerton police Sergeant Andy Goodrich told CIty News Service that Drake "will be transferred to the Orange County Jail when he is well enough."

According to the coroner's report, the victim was going to turn 22 next month. On Pham's Facebook page, she identifies herself as a graduate of La Mirada High -- and on the high school's alumni website, Pham is listed as a UCLA student, class of 2010. A commenter for the Orange County Register adds that she was planning to continue her education at the Westwood campus:

Kelly was a wonderful young woman who was smart delightful and just a wonderful human being. She was an accomplished swimmer and had just got accepted to UCLA's law school.

Did you know Pham or her driver, or have any idea what they might have been doing Saturday night? Please share below.

[@simone_electra/swilson@laweekly.com]

Tags:

drunk driving, DUI, Justin Drake, Kelly Pham, La Mirada, UCLA

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L. Taylor

This is why white men and asian women shouldn't date, usually the asian female ends up dead or in much worse shape....I know 2 other asian women that are dead because of alcohol + a white male driver

Derek Drake

Justin is my brother and i can tell you that he is the best brother anyone could ask for. He and kelly loved each other more then anything, kelly was justins life and he was her's. she was a amazing person and will forever be missed. justin will forever remember and love her as he always did. RIP kelly ill miss you.

Bttzcompany

So very sorry for your family Derek Drake - I can tell you my 19 year old son came upon the accident after it happended and I know for a fact he will never drink and drive again - I will be praying for your brother as I cannot imagine what he must be going through - peace be with your family

Cli92405

I knew the both of them and they where great people I went to high school with them and I would have never in a million years ever see this happening to either one of them Justin was one of my friends and he loved kelly more then anything it is a tragedy to hear about the lose of kelly and to hear that justin is in prison now I really hope everyone takes this to heart that drinking and driving should never be an option my prayers are with each familes Rip KELLY

bruin

Kelly Pham was planning to start at Loyola Law School in the Fall, not UCLA.

Vncnt Lopez

Kelly Pham was the most amazing individual that anyone could have had the grace of meeting. She was so deserving of life and didn't deserve to meet such misfortune. She will always be loved and missed