Drunk Driving Suspect Charged in Fatal Crash
A North Hollywood man was charged Thursday with manslaughter in a drunk driving crash New Year’s Eve that killed a 14-year-old girl.
Gerardo Flores, 29, pleaded not guilty in Van Nuys Superior Court to charges that he caused the accident Monday that killed Hilda Castenada of North Hollywood and injured her 16-year-old brother, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Karen Rizzo.
Flores was charged with gross vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence.
The accident occurred at Roscoe and Laurel Canyon boulevards in Sun Valley. Police said Flores’ vehicle hit a car carrying the two teenagers, who were in the back seat.
If convicted, Flores could face 10 years in state prison. He is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.
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