Elderly woman killed after suspected drunk driver slams into her Lancaster home

LANCASTER, Calif. (KABC) -- A woman in her 70s was killed after a suspected drunk driver crashed his pickup truck into her Lancaster home while she was sleeping.

The driver, identified as 25-year-old Aaron Daniel Benson of Lancaster, struck two cars on both sides of the 1000 block of West Avenue J-12 before slamming his silver 2001 Toyota Tacoma into the bedroom of the home shortly before 11 p.m. Sunday. Benson has a prior arrest for driving under the influence.

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Her identity was not immediately released. She was the only person inside the home at the time of the crash.

Several people heard the collision and saw a ball of smoke coming up from the house. They ran inside to help their neighbor.

"The driver of the truck emerged and he was freaking out, walking all over the place. He didn't know what to do. They were finally able to get into the house, and we couldn't find the lady anywhere. Then, the cops and ambulance showed up," described a neighbor. "Nobody could find her until they pulled the truck out, so basically she was under the truck."

Investigators said alcohol appears to have been a factor in the crash.

Benson was arrested under suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and felony driving under the influence. He was booked at the Lancaster Sheriff's Station and is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.

Anyone who may have witnessed the collision is asked to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Lancaster Sheriff's Station at (661) 948-8466. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 or text TIPLA to 274637.