Driver Charged in Passenger Death
An Orange man arrested Sunday morning while he lay in his hospital bed now faces charges that he was driving under the influence of alcohol when he caused a crash that killed one of his passengers, police said.
Juan Herrera, 26, was driving a white Ford van north on the 600 block of Glassell Street when he lost control and hit the median about 9:22 p.m. Saturday, according to Lt. John Higley.
The van then veered to the right, hitting the curb and a parked car. It flipped onto its right side and damaged three other vehicles, Higley said.
A passenger in the van, Juan Gomez, 30, also of Orange, died at the scene.
Two other passengers were taken to UCI Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries and later released.
Herrera was taken to Western Medical Center-Santa Ana for treatment.
Early Sunday, he was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and vehicular manslaughter, both felonies. His bail was set at $50,000.
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