| For Immediate Release Case # 10CF2436 May 29, 2012 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami
|
drunken driver FACES TRIAL FOR Severely injuring MOTHER and her 2-YEAR-OLD BY crashing into victims while THEY WERE walking on sidewalk
*Three additional victims, including another toddler, were also hit
SANTA ANA – A drunken driver faces trial today for severely injuring a mother and her 2-year-old daughter and hitting three others by crashing into them as they were walking on the sidewalk. Miguel Angel Sandoval, 44, Santa Ana, is charged with one felony count each of driving under the influence causing bodily injury, driving with a blood alcohol content of over .08 percent causing bodily injury, and two felony counts of mayhem, with sentencing enhancements and allegations for causing bodily injury to multiple victims, causing great bodily injury to Claudia G. and Selina S., and causing great bodily injury to a child under 5 years old. The defendant is ineligible to receive probation for having two prior felony convictions for commercial burglary in 2003. If convicted, Sandoval faces a maximum sentence of 24 years in state prison. Opening statements are expected to begin this morning, Tuesday, May 29, 2012, at 9:15 a.m. in Department C-42, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
At approximately 7:45 p.m. on Sept. 6, 2010, Sandoval is accused of consuming alcoholic beverages before driving his Chevrolet Suburban westbound on McFadden Avenue in Santa Ana. The defendant is accused of driving up onto the sidewalk and striking a wall near Graham Avenue.
Sandoval is accused of continuing to drive on the sidewalk and crashing into 25-year-old pedestrian Claudia G. and her 2-year-old daughter Jane Doe #1. He is accused of pinning the victims beneath the vehicle and dragging them across the street.
The defendant is accused of hitting three additional pedestrians, 23-year-old Gabriela F., her 2-year-old daughter Jane Doe #2, and 41-year-old Selina S. Witnesses called 911.
When contacted by Santa Ana Police Department officers at the scene, Sandoval is accused of displaying objective signs of intoxication including emitting a strong odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and blood shot and watery eyes. He is accused of being unable to complete the officer-conducted field sobriety tests. Approximately an hour and a half after the crash, Sandoval is accused of having a blood alcohol level of .20 percent, two and a half times the legal limit.
The victims were transported to the hospital to be treated for severe injuries sustained during the crash. Sandoval is accused of having knocked 2-year-old Jane Doe #1 unconscious, causing her to sustain fractures with extensive burns to her scalp and hands. Claudia G. was treated for burns to her body from being dragged on the road and multiple fractures, including a broken leg. Selina S. was treated for multiple abrasions which included a sprained ankle. Gabriela F. suffered cuts and bruises to her body. Jane Doe #2 suffered scrapes and abrasions to her face and body.
Deputy District Attorney Rebecca Reed is prosecuting this case.