| For Immediate Release Case # 10CF2436
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Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
SpEEDING drunken driver CHARGED WITH Severely injuring 2-year-old and her mother BY crashing into victims while THEY WERE walking on the sidewalk
*District Attorney will amend the complaint to add charges regarding three additional victims
SANTA ANA – A speeding drunken driver was arraigned today for severely injuring a 2-year-old girl and her mother by crashing into them as they were walking on the sidewalk. Miguel Angel Sandoval, 43, Santa Ana, is currently charged with one felony count each of driving under the influence causing bodily injury and driving with a blood alcohol content of over .08 percent causing bodily injury with sentencing enhancements and allegations for causing great bodily injury, brain injury and paralysis, and great bodily injury to a child under five years old for Jane Doe #1. The defendant has two prior commercial burglary convictions in 2003, which makes him ineligible for probation unless the court finds unusual circumstances that would serve the interest of justice. If convicted, Sandoval faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison. The People will be adding additional charges regarding the three additional victims which will increase the maximum penalty. The defendant is being held on $100,000 and is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing Oct. 12, 2010, at 8:30 a.m. in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana.
At approximately 7:45 p.m. on Sept. 6, 2010, Sandoval is accused of consuming alcoholic beverages and driving his Chevrolet Suburban westbound on McFadden Avenue in Santa Ana. The defendant is accused of speeding, 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 pedestrians Claudia G., 25, and her 2-year-old daughter Jane Doe #1, both of Santa Ana. He is accused of pinning the victims beneath the vehicle and dragging them across the street. He is accused of hitting three additional pedestrians, Gabriela F., 23, and her 2-year-old daughter, Jane Doe #2, and Selina S., 41, all of Santa Ana, who were walking east on McFadden. Witnesses called 911.
When contacted by Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) 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 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 and causing her to sustain a broken leg, fractures, and extensive burns. Claudia G. was treated for burns to her body and multiple fractures, including a broken leg. Jane Doe #2, also 2 years old, suffered traumatic injuries to her face and head. Selina S. was treated for multiple abrasions and an ankle injury and leg pain.
Deputy District Attorney Chris Alex is prosecuting this case.