Lyft driver killed in suspected DUI crash on New Year's Day in Hawthorne

HAWTHORNE, Calif. (KABC) -- A 21-year-old Lyft driver was killed New Year's Day by a driver suspected to have been under the influence.

Hawthorne police responded to the intersection of 120th Street and Doty Avenue to check on a traffic collision at about 2:55 a.m. on Friday.

During the preliminary investigation, officers learned a 2003 red Infiniti coup broadsided a 2015 black Ford Fusion.

The Lyft driver in the Ford, later identified by family as 21-year-old Thor Anderson, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Anderson's father, Ronald Anderson, said he'd recently arrived back at home from driving as well when officers knocked on his door at about 6 a.m.

"I was just in disbelief, I was tired from working all night, me and my son had kept in touch all through the night. Last time I talked to him was somewhere around 2 (a.m.)," Ronald Anderson said. "I told him I loved him and to drive safe and then I didn't get in contact with him again after that."

Thor Anderson is remembered as a cornerstone of his family, helping his two younger brothers and sister along with his father.

"Thor was a good kid, I spent a lot of time working with him to help him grow and to be a productive citizen," Ronald Anderson said. "With him, it was family first. Family first all the way. He, you know, worked and helped to take care of the family along with me and he helped to comfort me so I didn't have to feel alone in raising my family."

"I love my son and I'm going to miss him," he said. "I know that when somebody passes on that you don't have to worry about them anymore. I know that. But at the same time, I'm just not completely ready to let go his memory. It's still pretty fresh and he's going to be missed."

Police said the driver of the Infiniti, 21-year-old Hawthorne resident Arturo Martinez Conchas, was given a DUI examination at the scene of the crash.

After the exam, police said he was arrested for vehicular manslaughter, DUI and possession of illegal drugs.

Conchas was taken to the hospital before being taken into custody. His bail was set at $100,000.

A GoFundMe account has been created to help the family of Thor Anderson pay for his funeral service.