Attorneys for Nurse Responsible for Fatal LA Car Crash Says She Suffered a Mental Collapse Before Incident

The nurse responsible for killing six people, including a pregnant 23-year-old mother, allegedly had a mental collapse before the fiery crash.

Nicole Linton, 37, has been charged with six counts of murder and has also been charged with five counts of vehicular manslaughter. She was driving nearly 100mph when her Mercedes sped past a red light at a crossing intersection, causing a fiery scene that killed six people. 

In a form, Linton’s defense attorneys insist the nurse had a “lapse of consciousness” at the time of the crash and also offer a history of her mental state. The filing argues that the 37-year-old had “no recollection of the events that led to her collision.”

In 2018, Linton was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, which her defense attorneys used to build an argument. During her time at the University of Texas, while studying to become a nurse, she had her first mental breakdown, according to a letter from her sister Camille Linton. 

That breakdown reportedly led to a blowout after running outside her apartment while she allegedly had a panic attack. Once police approached her, she climbed on one of the officer’s vehicles and was arrested for disorderly conduct. 

After being arrested and alerting her family, she expressed concern for her pet turtle. Days after her arrest, she confided to her family that she was possessed by her dead grandmother leading to her being sent to a psychiatric hospital. 

The following year Linton seemed to be doing well until a neighbor repeatedly saw her running around her apartment. She was then she was taken to a psych ward.

It’s been reported that the nurse also recently stopped taking her prescribed medicine for her disorder, leading to the crash earlier this month. 

Just hours before Linton crashed her vehicle, she Facetimed her sister naked. 

Despite her disturbing behavior, Linton’s defense attorneys believe her mental state is insufficient to keep her incarcerated.

Linton is currently being held without bail, as prosecutors believe she is a danger to the community. 

The six people killed in the crash include Asherey Ryan, 23, with her one-year-old Alonzo, and unborn child, along with the father of her unborn child. 

Lynette Noble and Nathesia Lewis were also victims.