Boxer Aquino to Stand Trial in Car Deaths
Former world champion boxer Lupe Aquino, who was arrested in Detroit after losing a title fight, was ordered Thursday to stand trial in the deaths of two passengers in a car accident.
Aquino, 25, of Ventura was charged with two counts each of vehicular manslaughter and drunk driving in connection with the Aug. 14 deaths of Teresa Bello, 20 and Howard Thomas, 25.
West Los Angeles Municipal Court Judge Richard G. Berry ruled in a brief preliminary hearing that there is enough evidence for a trial to take place in Superior Court.
The former World Boxing Council junior middleweight champion was freed after posting $100,000 bail and is scheduled for arraignment Jan. 19.
Aquino was driving his 1985 Mercedes-Benz on the San Diego Freeway about 2 a.m. when he lost control north of Chalon Road. The car plunged 30 feet down an embankment and landed on Sepulveda Boulevard.
Another passenger, Michele Avila, 25, suffered moderate injuries in the crash. Aquino suffered minor injuries.
The Mexican native failed to appear for a Dec. 7, 1988, preliminary hearing. He was arrested Dec. 8, 1988, after losing the World Boxing Council junior middleweight bout in Detroit to John David Jackson.
Aquino holds the North American Boxing Federation belt.
Get our high school sports newsletter
Prep Rally is devoted to the SoCal high school sports experience, bringing you scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
