Lawyers for two minors whose mother died in a 2024 crash in Palmdale allegedly caused by a drunk driver are asking a judge to allow their clients to file a governmental claim against Los Angeles County even though the period to do so has expired.
Darrica Wannamaker, 34, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash that occurred at about 2:25 a.m. July 27, 2024 at East Avenue P and 20th Street East. The Los Angeles Superior Court petition filed Thursday on behalf of the woman’s two children states that a drunk driver was responsible for the woman’s death.
The children’s lawyers became aware on Feb. 21, 2025 that sheriff’s deputies had stopped the driver earlier, told him not to drive and trusted him when he said he would sit on a curb and wait for someone to pick him up, according to the petition, which further states that the driver left anyway and subsequently caused the crash that killed Wannamaker.
The six-month deadline to file a claim against the county was Jan. 27, but when the children’s attorneys asked county lawyers for permission to file a late claim, their request was denied, forcing the petitioners to turn to the courts, according to the children’s lawyers’ court papers. A governmental claim is a possible forerunner to a lawsuit.
“Had the petitioners known about the county of Los Angeles’ involvement on or around July 27, 2024, legal representation would have been sought sooner and the claims for damages would have been filed timely,” the petition states.
A county representative said she would check with county attorneys for any possible comment on the petition.