Charges Filed in Tustin Crash That Killed 3

Prosecutors filed vehicular manslaughter charges Wednesday against a 43-year-old Santa Ana man for allegedly causing the fiery accident June 30 that burned to death a woman, her son and stepson.

The lone survivor of the crash, the boys’ father, left the hospital two weeks ago and was told only recently about the loss of his family.

Authorities say Timothy Edward Albright rear-ended the family’s 1988 Mazda sedan while trying to make a lane change, causing the vehicle to explode. Albright was traveling at more than 60 mph, 20 mph over the speed limit, officials said.

Albright, who has no previous criminal convictions, faces up to three years in County Jail, said Tori Richards, spokewoman for the Orange County district attorney’s office.

The accident occurred on Prospect Avenue in Tustin when the Mazda stopped at Theodora Drive to make a left turn. Albright, driving a Lincoln Mark VIII behind the Mazda, tried to changelanes and momentarily looked back to see if the next lane was clear.

“When he looked back, he was coming up onto the car too fast and ended up rear-ending it at approximately 63 mph,” Richards said.

The Mazda burst into flames and was propelled into oncoming traffic. Jerrod Damon Perry Howard, 4 months old, and David Alexander Loera Howard, 4, died in the back seat. Angela Howard, 24, the mother of the younger boy, died two weeks later. Her husband, 32-year-old Perry Howard of Buena Park, was driving the Mazda and suffered burns over 35% of his body.

On Wednesday, family members said Perry Howard is still struggling to deal with the loss while trying to regain his health. Shortly after he was released from the hospital, his family broke the news about his wife and the children.

“He’s been crying ever since,” said Dale Howard, Perry’s father. “We visit the cemetery as much as we can.”

Dale Howard said he has put the tragedy out of his mind by helping the family nurse Perry back to health.

News of the charges against the driver brought anger from other family members. “The man that caused all this should be held responsible,” said Tami Howard, Perry’s stepmother. “It can’t be an ‘Oops, I’m sorry I rear-ended the car.’ ”

Albright could not be reached for comment.

The misdemeanor charges were filed because Albright failed to use reasonable care while driving too fast on a residential street, officials said.