Murder Charged in 2 Pedestrian Traffic Deaths

The Orange County district attorney’s office Wednesday filed two second-degree murder charges against a man suspected of drunk driving who allegedly struck four pedestrians, killing two, when he accelerated through a crowded crosswalk last week.

Authorities also said the suspect, Ciriaco Mendoza, 46, of Costa Mesa, was involved in a hit-and-run accident about two hours before the April 9 incident.

Mendoza will be arraigned April 27 on two murder charges, two felony counts of driving under the influence of alcohol, a felony count of hit-and-run driving and a misdemeanor count of hit-and-run driving.

The misdemeanor count involved the earlier hit-and-run incident in which Mendoza allegedly hit a Pacific Bell van near the intersection of Anaheim and Superior avenues.

Lt. Alan Kent said the van’s driver, Kenneth Melendres of Huntington Beach identified Mendoza in a photo lineup as the man who drove away after his company van was hit broadside.

Melendres told police that Mendoza’s Pontiac drove on the wrong side of the road, ran a stop sign and crashed into his van before continuing on Superior Avenue, Kent said.

About two hours later, Mendoza allegedly plowed into four pedestrians in the crosswalk. Officers, who said they found several empty beer cans in Mendoza’s car, initially arrested him on suspicion of felony drunk driving and hit-and-run. His blood-alcohol level was reported at 0.19%, more than twice the legal limit of 0.08%.

However, Deputy Dist. Atty. Jim Marion said he decided to upgrade the charges after one victim, Luis Payno Rodriguez, 24, died at Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center in Mission Viejo on April 11. On Sunday, Rodriguez’s friend, Oscar Zacaria Arellanos, 35, died at Western Medical Center-Santa Ana.

Marion said the murder charges are supported by the evidence that investigators have uncovered.

“This is more than just a DUI,” Marion said. “Because of the earlier hit-and-run . . . we thought the facts warranted filing of murder charges. There is evidence to show wanton disregard for the safety of others.”