Manhattan Beach, CA - Ana Amaral Moreira, 61, Killed After SUV Crashes Into Laundromat on Aviation Boulevard

Manhattan Beach, California (June 10, 2026) - Ana Amaral Moreira, 61, was killed after a black SUV crashed into a laundromat on Aviation Boulevard on Tuesday night, according to the Manhattan Beach Police Department.

The crash happened at Suds & Duds Coin-Op Laundry in the 900 block of Aviation Boulevard, police said. Aerial footage showed the SUV had driven through the front of the building. Moreira died from her injuries at the scene. Manhattan Beach police began an investigation, and it is unclear whether any arrests have been made in connection with the incident.

Ellie Chambers, a witness who was in the parking lot across from the laundromat at the time, told CBS LA what she observed. "It was trying to exit the parking lot, but it kinda stopped and it was slanted," Chambers said. "And then it like paused for a moment and then it just slammed right into the building at a high speed." The SUV was later towed from the scene. Support beams were installed under the roof of the building around 10 p.m. Neighboring businesses were not reported to have sustained damage.

Circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.

This is a developing story. Details may change as the investigation continues.

Losing a family member in a crash that happened while she was inside a business is a particular kind of shock. California law may give Ana Amaral Moreira's family the right to pursue a wrongful death claim, and that process can begin before the investigation concludes.

What to Do After a Fatal Pedestrian Accident in California

Who may be liable in a vehicle-into-building crash?

The driver of the SUV is the primary party whose conduct investigators and civil attorneys will examine. Where a vehicle strikes a building, attorneys may also evaluate whether the property lacked protective infrastructure, such as bollards or barrier posts, that could have stopped the vehicle before it reached the interior. Both avenues can support a wrongful death claim, depending on what the investigation reveals.

Can the family file a civil claim while the investigation is still open?

Yes. A civil wrongful death claim runs independently of any police investigation or criminal proceeding. Families do not need to wait for charges to be filed or for an investigation to close before consulting an attorney and beginning the process.

What evidence is at risk right now?

Surveillance footage from the laundromat, neighboring businesses, and nearby streets may capture what happened in the moments before the crash. Vehicle data from the SUV and any available witness accounts are also time-sensitive. An attorney should be retained quickly to formally request and preserve this evidence before it is lost or overwritten.

What is the filing deadline?

Under California law, wrongful death claims must generally be filed within two years of the date of death (CCP § 377.60). The crash occurred on June 10, 2026. The filing deadline is June 10, 2028. Missing that date permanently bars the family's right to pursue compensation.

Contact Our Los Angeles Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

A crash that kills someone inside a business they walked into is not something a family should have to navigate without legal support.

At the Law Offices of Christian Contreras, our Los Angeles personal injury attorneys have recovered more than $200 million for clients across Southern California, including a $5 million wrongful death settlement. Vehicle-into-building crashes involve driver liability, possible property owner responsibility, and surveillance evidence that moves fast. Building a complete claim requires acting on all of it early.

We handle wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis. No upfront costs and no fees unless we win.

Why Injured Clients Trust Christian Contreras Law

• $200M+ recovered for clients
• More than $30M recovered in 2025 alone
• Takes cases to trial with 7+ jury trials each year
• Bilingual representation in English and Spanish
• Featured by ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and Telemundo
• Perfect 5.0 Star Client Rating

Call (866) 836-6588 for a free consultation, available 24/7. You can also reach us online at contreras-law.com whenever you are ready.

Legal Disclaimer

This page is attorney advertising and is provided for general informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Incident information is based on publicly available reports and may change as the investigation continues. The Law Offices of Christian Contreras is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any law enforcement or emergency response agency. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, and no outcome is promised or implied.