CBS Los Angeles followed up on a DUI accident that occurred recently in Santa Ana, reporting that two men entered not guilty pleas for the charges they face as a result of the death of a long-time Orange County newspaper editor last month.
The accident occurred in late July. The 67-year-old newspaper editor was driving home in his pickup truck and attempting to make a left turn from Bristol Street onto Santa Clara Avenue. Two cars came toward him at high speed, allegedly street racing. One of the cars, a silver BMW, hit the pickup. The second driver drove off without stopping.
According to the Santa Ana Police Department, bystanders rescued the victim from the burning pickup, and he was taken to the University of California – Irvine Medical Center but succumbed to his injuries while at the hospital. The BMW driver was taken to the hospital in serious condition, and the second racer was apprehended later that day after police located his vehicle.
The BMW driver is charged with second-degree murder, driving under the influence of alcohol causing bodily injury, and driving with a blood-alcohol content exceeding the legal limit of .08% causing bodily injury, as well as multiple misdemeanors. He has multiple DUI convictions already. The other driver is facing multiple felonies as well.
