Man charged with murder after fatal DUI crash that killed two construction workers in Orange

Case # 18CF1602

Date: June 4, 2018

DRUNKEN DRIVER CHARGED WITH MURDER FOR COLLIDING INTO TWO CONSTRUCTION WORKERS IN ORANGE

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A drunken driver was charged and arraigned today for murder after colliding into two construction workers in Orange.

Defendant: Hipolito Paez, 30, Orange

Charged today with the following counts:

• Felony
  • Murder (2)
• Misdemeanor
  • Driving a motor vehicle without a valid license
  • Prior Misdemeanor Charges (Case # 14CM01998
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol
  • Driving with blood alcohol content (BAC) of 08% or more
  • Driving a motor vehicle without a valid license

Maximum Sentence: 30 years to life in state prison

Pre-trial hearing

June 15, 2018, 8:30 a.m.

Department C-55, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana

Circumstances of the Case

• At approximately 8:45 p.m. on May 31, 2018, Paez is accused of driving under the influence of alcohol without a valid license westbound on Santiago Canyon Road in the city of Orange.
• The victims were setting up an arrow board in the bike lane to make drivers aware of the crew that was going to be working ahead. There were multiple traffic signs in place warning drivers of the closed lane.
• The defendant is accused of colliding with a construction crew, killing 51-year-old Elias Juarez and 35-year-old James Sanderson, at the intersection of Santiago Canyon Road and Jamboree at 8:48 p.m.
• Orange Police Department (OPD) officers responded to the scene and arrested the defendant, who is accused of having a BAC of .12%.
• Emergency medical responders pronounced Juarez and Sanderson deceased at the scene.
• At the time of the crime, Paez also had a warrant for a prior driving under the influence (DUI) offense and failing to appear (Case # 14CM01998).

Prosecutor: Senior Deputy District Attorney Whitney Bokosky, Homicide Unit.