Patricia Santiago Ventura, 33, and her 2 daughters killed when car strikes them on West La Jolla Street in Placentia, California
Mother, 2 Children Killed in Fatal Pedestrian Crash in Placentia
Placentia police said they were in the area of the 800 block of West La Jolla Street when they heard a crash around 10:23 p.m. Saturday. Officers found three people lying unresponsive in the street when they arrived, Placentia police said.
FAMILY GRIEVING DEATH OF PLACENTIA MOTHER, HER 2 DAUGHTERS STRUCK BY CAR
They said 5-year-old Diana Ledezma, her 8-year-old sister Stephanie and their mother, Patricia Santiago, had just been at a birthday party across the street for a little girl who was turning 4 years old.
All three were holding hands as they walked home, along with two other children of Santiago's.
Details leading up to the crash were not released, but authorities said Santiago and her two young daughters were the only pedestrians struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver, later identified by Placentia police as 27-year-old Nicholas Stephen Munoz.
Woman, 2 Kids Struck and Killed in Placentia Crash; Man Arrested on Suspicion of DUI
A witness who was at the party said Muñoz tried to leave the scene, but people who were at the party were able to get him before police arrived.
Anyone with information about the incident can call the Placentia Police traffic bureau at 714-993-8157 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS.
SUSPECT CHARGED IN DUI CRASH THAT KILLED MOTHER, 2 DAUGHTERS IN PLACENTIA
Nicholas Munoz, 27, was charged with three felony counts of vehicular manslaughter, officials with the Orange County District Attorney's Office announced.
After a serious or fatal pedestrian accident, take these steps to help the recovery process
When someone is seriously injured in a pedestrian accident, the first days and weeks are spent getting medical treatment and dealing with the new reality of injuries, pain, lost work, and disruption to normal life. When someone dies in a collision with a vehicle, family members are forced to deal with grief, anger, and loss as they struggle to move forward.
After a serious or fatal pedestrian collision, an injured person, or the family left behind, incur damages including the cost of current and future medical expenses, lost work and wages, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. Go here to learn how to protect the rights of pedestrian accident victims and their families.
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