Santa Ana man sentenced for crashing into a family while driving drunk

Orange County District Attorney Press Release

For Immediate Release, Case # 10CF2436: July 20, 2012
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

Drunken driver sentenced to 15 years in prison for Severely injuring MOTHER and 2-YEAR-OLD BY crashing into victims while THEY WERE walking on sidewalk

SANTA ANA – A drunken driver was sentenced today to 15 years in state prison for injuring a mother and her 2-year-old daughter and hitting three others by crashing into them as they were walking on the sidewalk. Miguel Angel Sandoval, 44, Santa Ana, was found guilty by a jury June 5, 2012, of one felony count each of driving under the influence causing bodily injury, driving with a blood alcohol content of over .08 percent causing bodily injury, and two felony counts of mayhem, with sentencing enhancements and allegations for causing bodily injury to multiple victims, causing great bodily injury to Claudia G., causing great bodily injury to a child under 5 years old, and two prior felony convictions for commercial burglary in 2003.

At approximately 7:45 p.m. on Sept. 6, 2010, Sandoval consumed alcoholic beverages before driving his Chevrolet Suburban westbound on McFadden Avenue in Santa Ana. The defendant drove up onto the sidewalk and struck a wall near Graham Avenue. Sandoval continued to drive on the sidewalk and crashed into 25-year-old pedestrian Claudia G. and her 2-year-old daughter Jane Doe #1. He pinned the victims beneath the vehicle and dragged them across the street.

Sandoval hit three additional pedestrians, 23-year-old Gabriela F., her 2-year-old daughter Jane Doe #2, and 41-year-old Selina S. Witnesses called 911.

When contacted by Santa Ana Police Department officers at the scene, Sandoval displayed objective signs of intoxication including emitting a strong odor of alcohol, slurred speech, and blood shot and watery eyes. He was unable to complete the officer-conducted field sobriety tests. Approximately an hour and a half after the crash, Sandoval had a blood alcohol level of .20 percent, two and a half times the legal limit.

The victims were transported to the hospital to be treated for severe injuries sustained during the crash. Sandoval knocked 2-year-old Jane Doe #1 unconscious, causing her to sustain fractures with extensive burns to her scalp and hands. Claudia G. was treated for burns to her body from being dragged on the road and multiple fractures, including a broken leg. Selina S. was treated for multiple abrasions which included a sprained ankle. Gabriela F. suffered cuts and bruises to her body. Jane Doe #2 suffered scrapes and abrasions to her face and body.

Deputy District Attorney Rebecca Reed prosecuted this case.

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