Tragedy strikes Westlake High School after fatal crash
On Tuesday, April 18, four Westlake High school student pedestrians near the bus stop were involved in a fatal crash in front of Westlake High School on the corner of Lakeview Canyon Road and Thousand Oaks Boulevard. While three of the students, ages 14, 15 and 16, survived the impact, the fourth student, Wesley Welling, 15, died after arriving at the hospital.
The Los Angeles Times stated the driver who hit the students was identified as 24-year-old Austin Eis, a former Westlake High School student. The crash was the final event in a string of crimes committed by Eis, starting at a Simi Valley Walmart where he allegedly stabbed an employee. From the Walmart, Eis then went to his parents home in Camarillo, where there was an altercation resulting in the domestic dispute call to police, which led Eis to flee to Westlake High School and crash into the four students.
The other victims, two were released from the hospital on Wednesday. The third victim, Olivia Ludwig, was hospitalized for a broken femur which she had to undergo surgery for. All victims remain in stable condition.
According to the VC District Attorney’s news release, investigators believe the crash was intentional, and Eis holds 12 pending charges. These include murder, assault with a deadly weapon, commercial and residential burglary, false imprisonment by violence, use of pepper spray, brandishing a knife and special allegations of causing great bodily harm. Eis’s original bail was set at $5 million, however after being seen by a judge on Thursday, April 20, he is currently being held without bail due to public safety concerns. At this hearing, Eis did not enter a plea and his arraignment was postponed to May 19.
In honor of Welling, students and community members lined the crash site with flowers and various offerings the day following the crash. In addition, a GoFundMe was created for Welling’s family and funeral expenses, which is currently at $256,000. That evening, a vigil was held at Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village to honor the death of Welling and pay respects. On Sunday, April 23, an additional fundraiser with a live concert and silent auction was held at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills for the families of all four victims. The public service for Westley Welling will be held May 13 at the Calvary Church in Westlake. People wishing to donate to the Welling family can do so at https://www.gofundme.com/f/wesley-welling.
