Jesus Segura Herrera, a 32-year-old man, was convicted on Monday of second-degree murder, driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury, driving with a blood-alcohol count higher than the legal limit and hit and run with permanent and serious injury, all felonies. Sentencing enhancements for inflicting great bodily injury on both victims in the crash were also approved by the jury.
Herrera was previously convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol, hit and run and battery against a peace officer, all misdemeanors, on Halloween 2008. That is why in this latest trial he was charged with second-degree murder instead of vehicular manslaughter.
On Dec. 2, 2018, Herrera headed to the Spoons restaurant, in Santa Ana and proceeded to consume a “bucket of beer” according o the prosecutor.
Herrera then got into his Acura TL and was driving at speeds of about 40 to 50 mph on Grand Ave. when he rear-ended a Scion XD at McFadden Avenue, just after 2 a.m.
The crash took the life of Jorge Davalos Carrillo, 39, of Garden Grove, who was the right rear passenger in the Scion. Another passenger in the front seat sustained a brain injury as well as fractures to the spine, rib and pelvis, and spent two months hospitalized, according to the prosecutor.
Three good Samaritans helped Herrera out of his car and asked him to stay put, but Herrera returned to his car and tried to drive away, only to crash into a light pole..
Herrera has prior arrests for DUI dating back to 2008, according to the SAPD. Now he is facing life in prison.