Community members gathered with the families of the ‘Slauson Six’ on Aug. 4 to unveil a memorial for them on the one-year anniversary of their tragic deaths.
Activist Najee Ali spearheaded efforts to create a memorial for Asherey Ryan of Los Angeles, her year-old son, Alonzo Quintero, Ryan’s boyfriend, Reynold Lester, who was the father of her unborn son, Nathesia Lewis, 43, and her friend, 38-year-old Lynette Noble, the ‘Slauson Six’ who were tragically killed on Aug. 4, 2022.
“This was truly a dark day in the history of Los Angeles but out of it our community truly became a village to help all the grieving families and turned the nearby accident site into a beautiful oasis,” said Ali.
The Aug. 4, 2022, crash occurred when a Mercedes-Benz sped through the intersection of La Brea and Slauson — plowing through a red light in the 35-mph zone on La Brea at a speed authorities estimated at close to 100 mph.
The crash ignited an inferno as a sedan struck by the Mercedes was pushed into at least one other vehicle, with both winding up against a gas station sign on the corner. A trail of fire was left burning as the vehicles struck by the speeding driver were engulfed in flames.
“I’m grateful for Rocket Stores corporate leadership for listening to my appeal and allowing our community to have land for a space to have continued healing.”
Ali said a lot of the credit goes to County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, whose district the accident happened in, and her staff for ensuring the memorial and the ceremony to unveil the memorial, went off without a hitch.
“This effort was successful because of the hard work Supervisor Mitchell and her staff put into supporting the families of the Slauson Six,” said Ali.
The community gathered near the intersection of LaBrea and Slauson Avenues, for the unveiling of the Slauson Six Memorial Bench and Community Garden. The land was donated by the owners of the gas station where the crash happened.
Mitchell said she hopes the memorial serves as a reminder for people to be safe on the road, and of the consequences of reckless driving.
“This memorial gives us a place to, if you will, lay down the burden, to honor them. But it gives us a place to come to, to reflect and think about … not only those six lives lost and what their futures could have been, but what responsibility each of us individually have to make sure that all of our communities are safe,” Mitchell said.
Ali said it was important to memorialize the victims because the community had not seen a tragedy, where six lives were lost, through no fault of their own.
“Community members were devastated and grieving along with the impacted families,” said Ali. “I’ve unfortunately been involved with horrific tragedies in South Los Angeles from the murders of Latasha Harlins to Nipsey Hussle…but nothing of this magnitude. Ever.”
Ali is known for assisting families with establishing memorials for their loved ones through strong relationships with the business community and elected officials over his three decades as an activist.
“I previously helped spearhead efforts to establish the Latasha Harlins Park as well as the Nipsey Hussle Square because I believe in establishing permanent institutions,” said Ali.
The family of the Slauson Six appreciated Ali’s efforts to ensure their loved ones will never be forgotten.
“It was important to ensure that the Slauson Six memorial bench and community garden would be a place of not just remembrance but of healing for the family’s and community members and I’m grateful that Rocket Stores management supported my idea immediately and with the Support of Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell and her staff which did a lot of the heavy lifting behind the scenes, it ensured our community has a beautiful oasis to help us all heal from this tragedy.”
The Slauson Six Memorial Bench and Community Garden is accessible to the public and is located at 4700 W. Slauson Blvd.
