Driver in Crash That Killed 3 Admitted Drinking, CHP Says

A 28-year-old South El Monte man who drove one of three cars involved in a San Diego Freeway accident Wednesday that killed three people was moving slowly on the freeway and told officers he had been drinking beer, a California Highway Patrol spokesman said Friday.

CHP Sgt. Sean Barrett said a drunk-driving charge will be brought against Mario Acosta when Acosta’s health improves. Acosta was in fair condition Friday at UCLA Medical Center.

A passenger in the car told officers that Acosta was driving 44 m.p.h. just before the accident, Barrett said. Officers smelled alcohol on Acosta’s breath and he told them he had been drinking beer, Barrett said.

Acosta’s car was struck from behind by an auto driven by Yaniv Sidis, 16, of Beverly Hills. The impact popped open the rear of Acosta’s hatchback auto and two children sleeping in the back fell onto the freeway. Acosta’s daughter, Sarai, 6, scampered to safety but her cousin, Jimmy Acosta, 5, remained in the road.

Acosta’s sister-in-law, Maria Ramos, 22, ran to her son, causing a car driven by Stephen Phillips, 22, of Brentwood to swerve to avoid them.

Phillips’ auto collided with another vehicle and ricocheted. It struck and killed Sidis, who had parked his car and stepped out, then skidded into Mario Acosta, Ramos and Jimmy Acosta, killing the mother and son, the CHP said.