A twice-convicted drunken driver pleaded guilty Friday, June 6 to murder for an alcohol-fueled crash that killed two people on the 5 Freeway in Irvine in 2021.
Jorge ErastoCruz, 37, of Lake Forest, pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder, driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury, and a count of DUI with a blood-alcohol level at 0.08% or higher causing injury, all felonies. He was also charged with a misdemeanor count of driving on a suspended or revoked license due to DUI.
On Nov. 14, 2021 at 2 a.m., Shalaya A. Sierra, 23, of San Diego, was driving a 2016 Honda Civic that stopped on the right shoulder of the southbound Santa Ana Freeway, just north of Yale Avenue.
A man got out of the car and was struck by another vehicle, according to the California Highway Patrol.
ErastoCruz, driving a GMC Yukon, “made an evasive maneuver” because the man who had been struck was in the road, but he veered off the roadway to the right and slammed into the rear of the stopped Honda Civic, the CHP reported.
As a result of that collision, Alice Read, 25, of San Diego, who was in the middle rear seat of the Honda, and the unidentified man who got out of the vehicle were killed, the CHP said. The unidentified man was pronounced dead at the scene and Read was later pronounced dead at a hospital, according to the CHP.
The defendant also admitted sentencing enhancements for great bodily injury while committing a felony.
At the time of the crash, ErastoCruz was on probation for two DUIs in 2019, according to court records.
ErastoCruz pleaded guilty July 31, 2019, to two misdemeanor DUIs in Orange County. One occurred on Oct. 18, 2018, and the other was Dec. 30, 2018. As a result, he was placed on five years of informal probation, the records show.
The prior convictions for DUI allow prosecutors to upgrade any charges from manslaughter to second-degree murder under state law.
ErastoCruz is scheduled to be sentenced July 25.
Related Articles
Former OC prosecutor awarded $3 million in case against DA Todd Spitzer says county needs to protect employees Porn site founder accused of sex trafficking pleads guilty in California Dodgers deny allegations of fan who sued over ‘Hello Kitty Night’ treatment by guards Jury finds DA Todd Spitzer harassed veteran prosecutor, awards her $3 million Halloween Horror Nights patron says Universal Studios scare caused ACL tear
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Convicted DUI driver pleads guilty to Irvine crash that killed 2 people )
Also on site :