The U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) has launched an investigation into the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) over accusations of racial equity-based hiring practices.

In a letter dated Wednesday, the DOJ notified the state environmental agency of an investigation into whether it "is engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination based on race, color, sex, and national origin in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964."

"Our investigation is based on information that CalEPA may be engaged in employment practices that discriminate against employees, job applicants, and training program participants based on race, color, sex, and national origin in violation of Title VII," Harmeet K. Dhillon of the DOJ's Civil Rights Division wrote in the letter.

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The letter specifically cites CalEPA's "Practices to Advance Racial Equity in Workforce Planning" document that promotes "applying a racial equity lens to every phase of workforce development" and states that "interview panels should reflect racial, ethnic, gender and other diversity as much as possible."

"Including different groups of people and perspectives in the hiring process, including people of color, can lessen the impact of in-group bias in hiring," the document reads.

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The document also urged hiring managers to engage in "screening practices" that account for "cultural competency and lived experience."

"When forming the screening criteria, broaden the focus on applicable knowledge, skills, and abilities to include points in the Screening Criteria Scoring Key pertaining to cultural competency and lived experience," it reads.

In a statement announcing the probe, Dhillon said, "Race-based employment practices and policies in America’s local and state agencies violate equal treatment under the law."

"Agencies that unlawfully use protected characteristics as a factor in employment and hiring risk serious legal consequences," she continued.

Fox News Digital reached out to CalEPA for comment.

A 17-year-old Louisiana girl who was shot in the head during a road rage incident has died, officials confirmed, but with her death came the gift of life.

Katelynn Strate of Ponchatoula was 28 weeks pregnant when Barry West, 54, allegedly critically injured the teenager who was 7 months pregnant.

Strate’s baby was delivered via emergency C-section and TPSO say the baby was born at 28 weeks, 3 pounds 11 ounces and is "continuing to do well" in an area neonatal intensive care unit.

"This is a senseless tragedy on Sunday morning with no logical reason for this family to be experiencing this heartbreak right now," said Sheriff Gerald Sticker. "The public has to be patient and considerate when driving, at all times, and if there is a concern for your safety, call 911 and report the concern."

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Officials say West fired into an SUV that Strate was a passenger in after a tailgating dispute. The victim was with two other people, and they were traveling in the same direction as West, who was driving a silver Dodge truck. The statement says that the two vehicles began to tailgate and break-check each other before West shot one round into the SUV.

When the driver realized Strate had been shot, they called 911 and drove her to the hospital where she was placed on life support, according to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office.

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West claims he believed the occupants of the vehicle in front of him shot first, but TPSO was unable to find evidence to confirm the shots were fired, and no weapon was found in the victim's vehicle.

West has been booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail on one count of Second Degree Murder, plus the three counts of Attempted 2nd Degree Murder, Illegal Use of a Weapon, and Obstruction, according to the sheriff's office.

Officials also moved to clear up questions surrounding West’s possible ties to the department.

"To address questions regarding this suspect's association with TPSO, records dating back as far as our system currently allows (2007) do not show any employees with the last name of West," TPSO noted.

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Strate’s family has made the decision to donate her organs, and officials say she has "officially become a donor hero." The sheriff’s office urged the community to honor her legacy by rallying around her loved ones — offering prayers of comfort and strength as they face this heartbreaking loss.