Passenger Dies After Car Is Broadsided

An airman at Edwards Air Force Base was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving after his sports car broadsided another car early Thursday, killing a 64-year-old Westminster woman, authorities said.

Corey Massiet, 20, was driving on Bolsa Avenue about 1 a.m. when his car struck the passenger side of a sedan that was heading south on Springdale Street.

A passenger in the sedan, Ramona Mendoza, died at the scene.

Mendoza’s 23-year-old daughter Genevieve Mendoza, who was driving, said Thursday, “We were trying to find an open grocery store to buy milk for a 1-year-old nephew.”

“I didn’t even see him coming,” she said. “All I heard him say afterward was, ‘Did I kill anybody?’ ”

The driver reported complaints of pain and was treated at Huntington Beach Hospital and Medical Center. Massiet did not report any injuries, police said.

Traffic investigators said they think Massiet, a first-class airman at the Mojave base, might have been speeding through a red light, Police Lt. Dan Johnson said. He was held at the city jail in lieu of $50,000 on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter while driving under the influence of alcohol.

“He should have known better than that, especially if he’s in the military,” Genevieve Mendoza said.

John Haire, spokesman for Edwards, said it was unclear Thursday what disciplinary actions will be taken against Massiet, but added, “It’s not going to be overlooked.”

Ramona Mendoza was born in Westminster and lived her entire life in her neighborhood. She took a part-time job at Westminster Mall to help put her children, including a 26-year-old son, Andrew, through college.

“My mom and dad really struggled a lot to put us through school,” Genevieve Mendoza said. “We’re both graduating this year and she won’t be able to see it. She was a very loving person.”