DUI Driver Charged with Killing Woman by Rear-Ending Car

Posted By CotoBlogzz

SANTA ANA, CA - Robert Serrano was charged and arraigned today with rear-ending a car stopped at a red light and killing an 18-year-old woman in the vehicle.

Serrano, 36, Chino Hills, is charged with one felony count of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence while intoxicated and sentencing enhancements and allegations for causing bodily injury to multiple victims and fleeing the scene. He has a prior 2005 conviction for driving under the influence. If convicted, Serrano faces a maximum sentence of 17 years in state prison. Serrano is being held on $250,000 bail and is scheduled for a continued arraignment on Jan.15, 2010

At approximately 2:00 a.m. on Jan. 3, 2010, Serrano is accused of becoming intoxicated and leaving a bar with a friend. He is accused of driving a black BMW eastbound on MacArthur Boulevard, where a Toyota Scion was stopped at a red light at the intersection at Main Street in Santa Ana. Serrano is accused of rear-ending the Scion and fleeing the scene on foot, leaving an injured passenger in the car. The 18-year-old passenger in the Scion was transported to the hospital and later died from her injuries. The Santa Ana Police Department arrested Serrano at noon the same day.

Deputy District Attorney Jason Baez of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.