3-year old struck and killed by possible drunk driver, in Santa Ana

Tragedy struck tonight, at approximately 6:22 pm, when a 3-year old was struck by a car, in Santa Ana.  He died later in a local hospital.

According to the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) a family was crossing 5th Street at Bewely and was reportedly holding the hand of their 3 year-old. A passing vehicle struck the 3 year-old and fled the scene.

Witnesses were able to provide a vehicle description and license plate. Santa Ana police officers located the suspect vehicle and suspect at 1300 N. Clinton. The suspect was taken into custody and it appears DUI is possibly a factor.

The child was transported to UCI and has since succumbed to his injuries. Traffic has responded and is handling the investigation. Sgt. Smith is the scene supervisor.

UPDATE: “Authorities identified on Thursday a 3-year-old boy struck and killed by a driver who authorities believe was intoxicated and unlicensed as Darwin Almeida,” according to the O.C. Register.

“The information led police to arrest Angel Alberto Cruz Perez for investigation of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and other possible charges,” according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Art Pedroza Editor
Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.
Art Pedroza

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

View Comments

    • The checkpoints aren't effective at stopping drunk drivers. But they have been used to take cars away from immigrants.

  • intoxicated and unlicensed
    Angel Alberto Cruz Perez, 23
    was expected to be booked on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter, felony hit-and-run, felony DUI and driving without a license.

    Art, I can't believe that you think it is A OK for unlicensed drunks to drive over Santa Ana residents, weather or not they were born in Santa Ana or some other place.

    • I never said that. Get a clue Cook, most immigrants are decent, hardworking people. In fact it may well be that the family that lost their son was undocumented too. Might be why they were walking as they can't get a license in this state.

  • Well the report said he was drunk and unlicensed, it did not say where he was born or what nationality he is. Also nothing said about the new SUV not being registered or without insurance.

    • Allowing immigrants to apply for driver's licenses would improve safety as they would then have to learn how to drive and would have to buy insurance.

      Drinking and driving is a problem for all people, not just Mexicans. Look at Matt Harper, your fellow Rep7blican. He got busted behind the wheel, I believe in 2004, in Huntington Beach. We're lucky he didn't run over any toddlers!

  • i think they should leave him go because they should arrested him and his friend because they were both involved in this and why would they ask a 7 year old boy a question if he wasn't involved in this ? they asked him who was driving if the kid didn't see bad polices

  • Perez, your relative is a drunk and a murderer.

    If it was up to me, he would be tossed from the 10th floor of the court house on conviction, and if god has mercy maybe he survives.

    That is more of a chance he gave that dead child.

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