| For Immediate Release Case # 14HF0031
February 3, 2014 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718Farrah Emami Spokesperson Office: 714-347-8405 Cell: 714-323-4486
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DRUNKEN DRIVER TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR MURDER AFTER HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH MINIVAN DRIVEN BY MOTHER OF THREE
SANTA ANA – A drunken driver is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow for murder after driving into oncoming traffic and crashing head-on into a minivan driven by a mother of three children. William Joseph Carroll, 47, Mission Viejo, is charged with one felony count of murder. He faces a maximum sentence of 15 years to life if convicted. The People will request he be held on $1 million bail at his arraignment tomorrow, Feb. 4, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana.
At approximately 11:30 p.m. on May 7, 2013, Carroll is accused of driving a pickup truck while under the influence of alcohol in Mission Viejo. He is accused of making a left turn from El Toro Road onto Rancho Santa Margarita Parkway and driving southbound in the northbound lanes. Carroll is accused of driving approximately one-third of a mile into oncoming traffic before slamming head-on into a minivan being driven by 36-year-old Ana Martinez.
The victim was alone in the car and died as a result of the impact of the collision. The victim is survived by her husband and three children, ages 2, 7, and 15.
Carroll displayed objective signs of intoxication and had a blood alcohol content of .21 percent approximately one hour after the collision.
The defendant turned himself in to law enforcement in New York and was transported back to Orange County yesterday, Feb. 2, 2014.
Carroll had prior knowledge that he could be charged with murder if he killed a person while driving under the influence of alcohol based on a prior misdemeanor driving under the influence charge to which he pleaded guilty on Dec. 4, 2008 (Case #08HM08824).
Senior Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Walker of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.
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