A California couple passed away on Tuesday after an alleged repeat drunk driver crashed into their vehicle, injuring their three children.
Fox 11 reports 22-year-old Grace Elizabeth Coleman is accused of crashing a Range Rover into a Nissan Versa with a family inside. The incident happened Tuesday night at around 7:45 p.m., off of Newport Coast Drive in Newport Beach.
According to police, Coleman walked away after the crash but authorities detained her shortly after. Police said the suspect’s blood-alcohol level was over .20%, which is nearly three times the legal limit in California.
The victims, identified as Henry Eduardo Saldana-Mejia, 27, and Gabriella Andrade, 28, died at the scene. Family members said Saldana was driving to a resort, where he worked, to pick up his belt and shoes when the crash occurred. His wife was riding in the front passenger seat and his three young children were in the back seat.
The children were rushed to the hospital with broken bones and other injuries.
Coleman was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. According to CBS 2, she’s also facing charges of hit and run, driving under the influence of alcohol causing bodily injury, and driving with a blood alcohol of .08% or more causing bodily injury.
Prosecutors requested that the court set Coleman’s bail at $2 million. According to online jail records, Coleman was arrested in August for DUI. The case is still under investigation.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page has been set up to help the surviving children.
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[Feature Photo: Elizabeth Coleman, Henry Eduardo Saldana, and Gabriella Andrade/Police Handout; Handout]
