Accused drunk driver kills 3 women returning home from baby shower in California — including aunt in process of adopting nephew
Three California women were killed by a suspected drunk driver as they were returning home from a baby shower Saturday night, one of whom was in the middle of adopting her nephew.
Yesenia Olaez, 33, her sister-in-law Alejandra Olaez, 33, and the car’s driver, Lorena Morales, died in the violent crash when a 36-year-old man ran a red light and crashed his SUV into the women’s sedan at an intersection in Pomona, Calif.
The two-car crash happened around 11 p.m. as the three women, Morales’ husband, Juan Manuel “Jaime” Garcia, and Alejanda Olaez’s 12-year-old daughter, Naomi Olaez, made their way home after the celebration.
“All the family is heartbroken, it’s a double loss tragedy right here,” Yesenia Olaez’s sister Blanca Gonzalez told KTLA. “Everybody is not okay right now.”
“There’s nothing more I could say in regards to her,” Gonzalez said about her sister. “She was the best sister … and the best person in our family.”
Yesenia Olaez, a dental assistant, was in the process of adopting her 11-year-old nephew in an attempt to remove him from the foster care system at the time of her death.
“She was a loving mother,” Brian Gonzalez told ABC7 outside a vigil for his aunt on Sunday. “I feel like her time was way too short. Although I do know she died peacefully and she died loving me. I wanted her to see me grow up.”
Yesenia Olaez’s boyfriend is going to fight for custody of the boy, according to the outlet.
The SUV appeared to have come to rest in the middle of the residential intersection while the sedan, with heavy damage to the driver’s side, was stopped after it hit a light pole on one of the corners, according to photos obtained by KTLA.
Both Yessenia and Alejandra Olaez were pronounced dead at the scene, while Morales, Garcia and the youngest Olaez were rushed to a nearby hospital.
“Three other people from one of the vehicles were transported to a nearby hospital where one of the involved drivers unfortunately succumbed to their injuries and passed away,” the Pomona Police Department said in an incident report.
Garcia and Naomi Olaez sustained serious injuries.
Police identified 36-year-old Victor Siharath as the lone occupant of the SUV.
“Officers made contact with Siharath on-scene and determined he was driving while impaired,” the incident report read.
Siharath was transported to a local hospital before being arrested for felony DUI.
He was later charged with three counts of murder, and one count of driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage causing injury, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement on Tuesday.
“There are no words to express the heartbreak that Mr. Siharath’s actions have caused these victims’ families and community,” DA George Gascón said. “Our hearts go out to the grieving families and the survivors as they attempt to cope with this unimaginable tragedy.
“Those who choose to jeopardize themselves and others by driving under the influence will face swift legal consequences,” Gascón added. “There is nothing that can bring back the countless lives lost to speeding and drunk driving, but our office will continue to hold those responsible.”
Pomona Police Chief Michael Ellis blasted Siharath’s drunk driving, saying it “took the lives of three innocent people and severely injured two others.”
Siharath faces life in prison if found guilty.
He is being held without bail and his arraignment is scheduled for March 28.
