Man charged with killing a passenger and hurting others while driving drunk

Orange County District Attorney, Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 14CF0838: April 2, 2014

DRIVER UNDER INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR KILLING PASSENGER AND INJURING THREE OTHERS AFTER LOSING CONTROL OF VEHICLE IN RAIN

SANTA ANA – A man who was driving under the influence of alcohol is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow for killing his passenger and injuring three others after losing control of his vehicle while driving at an unsafe speed in the rain. Ulises Mendoza, 20, Santa Ana, is charged with one felony count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and one felony count of driving under the influence causing great bodily injury to another, with sentencing enhancements for causing great bodily injury and causing brain injury resulting in a coma. If convicted, Mendoza faces a maximum sentence of 21 years in state prison. He is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow, Thursday, April 3, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana.

At approximately 12:11 a.m. on Nov. 21, 2013, Mendoza is accused of consuming alcohol before driving a Honda Civic with four passengers. The defendant is accused of traveling at an unsafe speed in the southbound lanes on Fairview Street in Santa Ana in the rain. He is accused of losing control of his vehicle, spinning out off the road, and crashing backwards into a light pole.

The victims were transported to University of California, Irvine Medical Center to be treated for their injuries. Passenger Oliver Martinez-Iriate, 23, was seated in the rear middle seat and died as a result of injuries sustained in the collision. Passenger Amanda P., 18, was hospitalized for rib fractures and a concussion. A third passenger, 18-year-old Genesis C., was hospitalized for a fractured collarbone. The fourth passenger, 18-year-old Martin A., was hospitalized for several fractured bones and a brain hemorrhage that left him in a coma for several days after the crash.

At the hospital, Mendoza displayed objective signs of intoxication. The blood test taken at the hospital indicted his blood alcohol content (BAC) was at .05 percent at the time of the collision. Being that the defendant is under 21years old, it is illegal for him to drive with a BAC of .05 percent or greater.

This case was investigated by the Santa Ana Police Department.

Deputy District Attorney Anna McIntire of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.

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Tony Rackauckas, District Attorney
401 Civic Center Drive West
Santa Ana, CA 92701

Contacts:

Susan Kang Schroeder
Chief of Staff
Office: 714-347-8408
Cell: 714-292-2718

Farrah Emami
Spokesperson
Office: 714-347-8405
Cell: 714-323-4486

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.

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