| For Immediate Release Case # 08NF2737
October 23, 2009 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
MOTHER CONVICTED OF KILLING TODDLER AND BOYFRIEND IN HIGH SPEED CRASH WHILE UNDER INFLUENCE OF METHAMPHETAMINE
FULLERTON – A mother was convicted today of killing her boyfriend and her 2-year-old daughter in a high speed crash after falling asleep at the wheel while under the influence of methamphetamine. Tomeka Charee Harris, 29, Fullerton, pleaded guilty to the court to two felony counts of vehicular manslaughter by unlawful act with gross negligence while intoxicated. She is expected to be sentenced to a court offer of six years in state prison at her sentencing on Nov. 6, 2009, at 8:30 a.m. in Department N-3, North Justice Center, Fullerton.
At approximately 10:00 a.m. on Jan. 12, 2008, Harris was speeding westbound on State Route 91 in her Mitsubishi sport utility vehicle with her boyfriend, 27-year-old Alfred Flores, and her daughter, Zharia Keheian, who was one day from turning 2 years old. Harris fell asleep at the wheel and lost control of her car while exiting at the East Street off-ramp at a high rate of speed, driving into a fence and crashing into a steel utility pole. Harris’ baby and boyfriend both suffered head trauma from the impact and were killed. The defendant was under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of the crash.
Deputy District Attorney Susan Price of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.