MOJAVE, CA — According to KBAK Fox 50, at 2:15 PM on January 9, 2024, the Kern County Coroner’s Office named 50-year-old Mary Leechelle Love of Ridgecrest (previously reported as Topeka) as the woman killed in a head-on crash on Redrock Randsburg Road near Garlock the day before.
At approximately 8:36 AM on January 8, 2024, officers from the California Highway Patrol, Mojave Area, responded to a distress call regarding a head-on collision involving a 53-year-old Carolin Smith of California City behind the wheel of a white Mercedes traveling westbound on Redrock Randsburg Road, and a woman now identified as Mary Leechelle Love driving a white Hyundai driving eastbound.
Love lost her life in the collision. Her passenger, a 49-year-old California City man, sustained severe injuries, as did Carolin Smith. Both received transport to Antelope Valley Hospital for treatment.
CHP has clarified that, at this time, there is no suspicion of driver impairment as a contributing factor to the collision. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash remains ongoing.
After a tragic collision, the family of the deceased may consider filing a wrongful death claim with the insurance provider of an at-fault driver, whether or not they receive criminal charges. The compensation provided by a wrongful death claim can help relieve the burden of hospital bills, burial costs, and even loss of support for the victim’s family. To ensure that insurance companies offer an appropriate payout, those seeking compensation should strongly consider the services of a knowledgeable personal injury attorney.
