(L.A.) Zeomara Cohen, 31, Died on th 118 Freeway

Case Number: 2022-06067

Los Angeles County is reporting the death of a 31-year-old Hispanic female that occurred on the 118 Freeway.

The coroner’s office has identified the woman as Zeomara Cohen of Northridge, California.

Manner of Death: Accident

Cause of Death: Thermal Injuries and Inhalation of Products of Combustion

RIP ZEOMARA COHEN (March 8, 1991 – June 10, 2022)

Formal pronouncement of death was made on Friday at 12:08 a.m.

The decedent was a mother of three who died in the fiery solo crash on Highway 118 at around 11:42 p.m. on June 9.

Incident Location:
Westbound 118 Fwy / East Of Reseda Blvd., Porter Ranch, CA 91326

California Highway Patrol said the single-vehicle crash happened on the westbound side of the freeway near Reseda Boulevard.

The decedent’s 31-year-old husband David Cohen was arrested on suspicion of DUI.

He was driving a Lexus heading west on the 118 Freeway west of Zelzah Avenue when, for unknown reasons, he made a turning movement to the left, left the roadway, crashed into a guardrail, travelled up a dirt embankment, and crashed into a concrete sewer drainage.

The vehicle’s fuel line ruptured, causing the vehicle to burst into flames with the family of five still inside.

LAPD SWAT officers who were on their way home witnessed the crash.

The driver, 31-year-old David Haim Cohen, was able to get himself and one of the children out of the vehicle.

The officers helped pull the rest of the children out of the vehicle before the flames became too intense.

The mother was not able to be rescued and died as a result of the crash and fire.

The children rescued from the vehicle ranged in age from 4 months to 9 years old. They were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries described by the CHP as bruises and lacerations.

Cohen, who was also hospitalized, was arrested on suspicion of DUI and faces manslaughter charges.

The children were identified as Cienna Márquez, 9; Chanel Cohen, 4; and Chloe Cohen, 4 months. The family was reportedly returning from a graduation party.