Case # 18WF0980
Date: April 30, 2018
DRUNKEN DRIVER CHARGED WITH MURDERING THREE LAS VEGAS TEENS AND INJURING FOURTH AFTER FIERY COLLISION IN HUNTINGTON BEACH
SANTA ANA, Calif. – A drunken driver was charged with murdering three Las Vegas high school seniors and injuring a fourth after a fiery collision in Huntington Beach.
|
Defendant |
Charges |
Maximum Sentence |
Court Date |
|
Bani Marcela Duarte, 27, San Clemente |
Charged on April 27, 2018 with the following felony counts:
Sentencing Enhancement
|
51 years to life in state prison |
Bail Review Hearing May 3, 2018, 8:30 a.m. Department W-2, West Justice Center, Westminster Bail: $5 million |
Circumstances of the Case
- In the early morning hours of March 29, 2018, Duarte is accused of driving under the influence on Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach.
- At approximately 1:00 a.m., four Las Vegas high school students in Orange County celebrating their spring break were stopped in a vehicle at a red light on Pacific Coast Highway and Magnolia.
- Duarte is accused of failing to stop at the red light and rear-ending the victims’ vehicle at a high rate of speed, causing an impact that pushed the car through the intersection and forced it into a pole where it came to rest and burst into flames.
- 17-year-old Brooke Hawley, 18-year-old Dylan Mack, and 17-year-old Albert Rossi were pronounced deceased at the scene. John Doe survived the collision, suffering great bodily injury including burns and a concussion.
- Duarte was arrested at the scene by the Huntington Beach Police Department (HBPD) and posted bond a few days later. HBPD investigated this case.
- On Friday, April 27, 2018, Duarte was charged, and on Sunday, April 29, 2018, HBPD re-arrested the defendant on the warrant in Downey.
Prosecutor: Senior Deputy District Attorney Daniel Feldman, Homicide Unit