Driver Arrested for Alleged DUI Crash That Killed 2 Pedestrians in Orange

Driver Arrested for Alleged DUI Crash That Killed 2 Pedestrians in Orange
Orange County law enforcement agencies work together in arresting a suspect barricaded in a Newport Beach home on Oct. 4, 2022. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)
City News Service
11/28/2023
Updated:
11/28/2023

SANTA ANA, Calif.—A 26-year-old man was charged Nov. 28 with a hit-and-run, allegedly alcohol-fueled collision that killed two pedestrians in Orange.

Humberto Lopez Flores was charged with two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and single counts each of hit-and-run with permanent and serious injury, driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury, DUI with a blood-alcohol level of .08 percent or more causing injury, all felonies, and a misdemeanor count of driving on a suspended license.

He also faces sentencing enhancements for allegedly fleeing the scene of a vehicular manslaughter.

Mr. Flores is accused of killing 51-year-old Jose Huerta of Orange and 59-year-old Manuel Ortiz of Santa Ana on Thanksgiving night, according to Orange Police Department Lt. Phil McMullin.

Police responded to the collision at 8:17 p.m. Nov. 23 in the 700 block of North Shattuck Place. The defendant was driving south on Shattuck in a Ford F-250 when he veered into a parked Chevy Silverado and the two pedestrians, police said.

Mr. Flores tried to run away, but patrol officers caught him at Lincoln Street and Oakmont Avenue, police said.