Los Angeles: On September 15, 2002 at approximately 3:00 A.M. a fatal traffic collision occurred on Olympic Boulevard and 4^th Avenue. Elias Mash, a 21-year-old resident of Los Angeles, was driving his 2002 Volkswagen GTI, westbound on Olympic Boulevard at a high rate of speed when he lost control of his vehicle. While driving his vehicle he crossed into the Eastbound lanes then drove off the roadway, colliding with a Tri-light traffic control pole. This caused the vehicle to spin around and come to rest against a block wall.

According to a witness Elias Mash may have been racing another vehicle. There is no description on the vehicle Elias Mash was possibly racing.

A passenger seated in the rear seat of Elias Mash’s vehicle sustained major trauma to his head and upper torso. The passenger was transported to Cedar Sinai Hospital by Los Angeles City Fire Department Paramedics. The victim failed to respond to the emergency treatment at the hospital and was pronounced dead at 3:42 A.M. The identity of the victim will not be released, pending the notification of the next of kin by the Coroners Office.

A nineteen year-old male who was seated in the front passenger seat sustained a minor seatbelt abrasion to the right side of his neck and was treated at the scene by Los Angeles City Fire Department Paramedics. After questioning he was released without being booked.

Elias Mash was taken into custody at the location. He displayed objective symptoms of being under the influence of alcohol. Elias Mash was booked for 191.5 P.C. Gross Vehicular Manslaughter while DUI.

West Traffic Division Detective Kemble is in charge of the investigation. Anyone with information that may assist in this investigation is urged to contact 213 473-0234. On weekends and during off-hours call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk, 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).

This press release was prepared by Public Information officer Eduardo Funes, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.