DUI Suspect Didn’t Cause Fatal Crash

A man arrested for fleeing the scene of a Fountain Valley accident last week that killed three people will not face felony vehicular manslaughter charges because he did not cause the crash, police said Tuesday.

But Agustin Gonzalez Galindo has been charged with several other crimes, including felony hit-and-run, driving under the influence, lying to a police officer and driving on a suspended license. He remains hospitalized with injuries suffered in the crash.

Galindo, 42, was initially believed to have run a red light, causing the Dec. 20 accident that killed Maria Reyna Cano, 28; her 5-month-old son, Brian Muyorido; and Nestor Ramirez Suastegui, 24. Subsequent investigation, however, revealed that Suastegui--the driver of the Ford Mustang that Galindo’s Chevrolet pickup hit--had run the red light.

“We have witness statements that conclude that,” said Lt. Dann Bean, a spokesman for the Fountain Valley Police Department. “Without independent witnesses saying 1/8Galindo 3/8 was at fault, we won’t be able to file felony vehicular manslaughter charges against him.”

Galindo was found shortly after the crash, hiding in some bushes near the scene. He was expected to be released shortly from UCI Medical Center to the Orange County Jail.

Bail has been set at $50,000.