Supporters Gather at Courthouse in Honor of Savela
Aug 31, 2026 09:55PM ● By Jeanne Fratello
More than 50 supporters of the Savela family gathered at the Torrance courthouse on Monday morning as pre-trial activity continued for the driver accused of killing Mira Costa senior Ford Savela, 18, in January 2025.
The driver, Kameron Lee Peterson, remains behind bars, facing three
felony charges: murder, hit-and-run causing death or serious injuries,
and reckless
driving. A trial is expected sometime early next year.
“Having support from the community means everything to us as we navigate this endless nightmare," Ashley Savela, Ford's mother, told MB News on Monday evening.
Savela died after being struck by a speeding car along Sepulveda; Peterson was later taken into custody. A memorial of flowers and notes for Savela has remained for more than a year on the grassy stretch in front
of the Taco Bell at 3rd and Sepulveda where the accident occurred.
That
stretch of Sepulveda has been an ongoing concern, which has since been heightened in the wake
of three separate fatal accidents. That
includes the death of Braun Levi in the 100 block of South Sepulveda in May 2025, the death of Savela in the 300 block of North Sepulveda in January 2025, and the death of pedestrian Michael Kawasaki in the 900 block of North Sepulveda in December 2024.
GIven that CalTrans has direct jurisdiction over Sepulveda, the
city of Manhattan Beach may be limited in what it can change along that
roadway, but city leaders have said that they have been working closely with the state agency. CalTrans is said to
be considering high visibility crosswalks, yield signs, speed limit
markings on the pavement, or bike lanes.
Savela, a beloved son, brother, and friend, was an active member of the Beach Cities Health District’s Youth Advisory
Council, a youth-led group focused on promoting the health and
well-being of their peers. At a celebration of his life in January 2025, he was remembered as a cherished member of the community who was "a force for good" who "lived with purpose."
The Ford W. Savela Legacy of Kindness Scholarship was
created in his honor to support students "who embody his core values of
kindness, empathy, high character, and community involvement."
