Driver in Freeway Crash That Killed 2 Couples Freed for Lack of Evidence
Prosecutors decided Friday to release a truck driver involved in a fiery crash on the Santa Ana Freeway this week, saying there is not enough evidence to file felony manslaughter charges against him.
The California Highway Patrol had said that Leopoldo Nunez Sanchez, 34, of La Paz, Mexico, was driving 55 mph and never slowed down before he plowed into a van carrying four people at the intersection of the Santa Ana and San Diego freeways. The two couples died in the nine-car accident, and three other people were injured, one critically.
“The evidence that the CHP has gathered and presented to us up to this point is not sufficient to file criminal charges,” said Jack Sullens, deputy district attorney at Harbor Municipal Court.
CHP officials said Friday that they concur with the district attorney’s office on the decision, and will continue to gather evidence.
“It could take up to a month to complete the investigation,” CHP spokeswoman Angel Johnson said.
The crash occurred at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday and stalled traffic for hours.
Killed were Benjamin and Carmen Rea of Los Angeles and Jaime and Myriam Rodriguez of New York. The two couples were on their way back from a visit to Tijuana.
Sanchez, who has not been cited for violating NAFTA rules, was expected to be released from the Orange County Jail.
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