ORANGE COUNTY, CA - Authorities have announced that an 18-year-old who does not have a license and who was under the influence of alcohol crashed his vehicle into an SUV, killing a mother and injuring her young daughter.
According to KTLA, the crash occurred at the intersection of Tustin Street and Collins Avenue when the 18-year-old, who has been identified as Roberto Noe Monfil Xitlama, ran a red light in a Chevrolet Equinox and slammed into a red Toyota RAV4 carrying four people. Police said that the woman in the passenger seat of the RAV4 has been identified by family members as Maria Arroyo. She sustained fatal injuries and lost her life.
Arroyo's 13-year-old daughter, who was sitting behind her in the backseat of the RAV4, was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Another 13-year-old, a friend of Arroyo's daughter was also taken to the hospital. She, along with the driver of the RAV4, who is Arroyo's boyfriend and was also taken to the hospital, did not suffer serious injuries.
While it remains unclear whether Xitlama is in the US legally, police said that he was unlicensed and identified only through a Mexican passport.
In a statement, the Orange County Police Department (OCPD) said, "During a preliminary alcohol breath test, the suspect's blood alcohol level was more than double the legal limit." According to the Modesto Bee, Connor Martinelli, who witnessed the accident said, "I was out here skating in front of my store and all of a sudden, I heart this big boom."
Arroyo is survived by three daughters, as noted in a GoFundMe that was started to help the family pay for funeral costs. It says, "She was a cherished soul who deeply impacted the lives of many. She was known for being hardworking, humble, and an amazing mother. Her sudden and tragic passing has left us heartbroken."
Xitlama was arrested for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and booked into the Orange County Jail. Prior to being booked, he was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The investigation remains ongoing.
In a separate incident in Tulare County, California, a one-month-old baby was killed following a head-on DUI crash. According to ABC30, California Highway Patrol troopers were called to a two-car crash on Highway 198 at Horse Creek Road just before 2:00 p.m. on Monday, September 30th.
Investigators said that a Kia Optima, driven by 24-year-old Johnathon Reyes was going westbound when he attempted to pass a car in front of him. Reyes entered the opposite lane and collided with an oncoming Freightliner truck as he attempted to re-enter the westbound lane.
Reyes, 25-year-old Jessie Guerrero, and the one-month old baby girl were taken to a nearby medical center. Reyes and Guerrero suffered major injuries from the crash and the baby died. Investigators determined that Reyes was under the influence of alcohol and has been placed under arrest.
According to KTLA, the crash occurred at the intersection of Tustin Street and Collins Avenue when the 18-year-old, who has been identified as Roberto Noe Monfil Xitlama, ran a red light in a Chevrolet Equinox and slammed into a red Toyota RAV4 carrying four people. Police said that the woman in the passenger seat of the RAV4 has been identified by family members as Maria Arroyo. She sustained fatal injuries and lost her life.
Arroyo's 13-year-old daughter, who was sitting behind her in the backseat of the RAV4, was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Another 13-year-old, a friend of Arroyo's daughter was also taken to the hospital. She, along with the driver of the RAV4, who is Arroyo's boyfriend and was also taken to the hospital, did not suffer serious injuries.
While it remains unclear whether Xitlama is in the US legally, police said that he was unlicensed and identified only through a Mexican passport.
In a statement, the Orange County Police Department (OCPD) said, "During a preliminary alcohol breath test, the suspect's blood alcohol level was more than double the legal limit." According to the Modesto Bee, Connor Martinelli, who witnessed the accident said, "I was out here skating in front of my store and all of a sudden, I heart this big boom."
Arroyo is survived by three daughters, as noted in a GoFundMe that was started to help the family pay for funeral costs. It says, "She was a cherished soul who deeply impacted the lives of many. She was known for being hardworking, humble, and an amazing mother. Her sudden and tragic passing has left us heartbroken."
Xitlama was arrested for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and booked into the Orange County Jail. Prior to being booked, he was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The investigation remains ongoing.
In a separate incident in Tulare County, California, a one-month-old baby was killed following a head-on DUI crash. According to ABC30, California Highway Patrol troopers were called to a two-car crash on Highway 198 at Horse Creek Road just before 2:00 p.m. on Monday, September 30th.
Investigators said that a Kia Optima, driven by 24-year-old Johnathon Reyes was going westbound when he attempted to pass a car in front of him. Reyes entered the opposite lane and collided with an oncoming Freightliner truck as he attempted to re-enter the westbound lane.
Reyes, 25-year-old Jessie Guerrero, and the one-month old baby girl were taken to a nearby medical center. Reyes and Guerrero suffered major injuries from the crash and the baby died. Investigators determined that Reyes was under the influence of alcohol and has been placed under arrest.
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