FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Case # 18HF1669
Date: December 11, 2018
MAN CHARGED WITH MURDER OF TWO PASSENGERS IN SINGLE-VEHICLE CRASH WHILE INTOXICATED IN IRVINE
SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man was charged yesterday with the murder of two passengers in a single-vehicle crash while intoxicated in Irvine.
|
Defendant |
Charges |
Maximum Sentence |
Court Date |
|
Norman David Martin, 23, Irvine |
Charged on Dec. 11, 2018, with the following felony counts:
|
30 years to life in state prison |
Arraignment Dec. 12, 2018, 10:00 a.m. Department CJ-1, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana |
Circumstances of the Case
- On July 22, 2017, at approximately 2:20 a.m., Martin is accused of driving under the influence of alcohol with two passengers in a two-seat Corvette.
- The defendant is accused of driving at 138 miles per hour and hitting the crown of the intersection while running a red light at Jamboree and Main Street in Irvine.
- The vehicle went airborne and the driver subsequently lost control and struck multiple objects, including three palm trees. The defendant and both passengers were ejected from the vehicle as a result of the collision.
- 26-year-old victims Jamie Lopez and Nancy Ortiz were pronounced dead at the scene.
- Martin was transported to a local hospital and is accused of having a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent hours after the collision.
- Irvine Police Department (IPD) investigated this case and arrested the defendant today, Dec. 11, 2018.
Prosecutor: Senior Deputy District Attorney Dan Feldman, Homicide Unit