Family of 5 on way to Disneyland killed by DUI driver, officials say
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A Hesperia man who took prescription drugs and passed out behind the wheel is responsible for killing two parents and their three children driving to Disneyland in May, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said.
Following an investigation by its major accident investigative team, sheriff’s deputies concluded that Joshua Smith, 30, took prescription drugs then passed out behind the wheel of a van May 11 and hit a Honda sedan, killing the family of five inside.
The crash killed Gerardo Jimenez, 30; Angelica Garcia, 25; and their children, Freddy Garcia, 9; Cindy Garcia, 3; and Ivan Garcia, 2. The family was going to Disneyland to celebrate Cindy’s birthday.
Authorities say the family was at a stop sign at Main Street and Balsam Avenue in Hesperia when Smith allegedly lost consciousness and veered into oncoming traffic, hitting their car. The van rolled on top of the sedan, pinning the family underneath.
Smith suffered minor injuries.
“Smith had identifiable quantities of narcotics in his system at the time of the collision,” the Sheriff’s Department said in a statement. “Investigators believe the cause of the collision is Smith’s operation of his vehicle while under the influence.”
Investigators have forwarded their report to the San Bernardino County district attorney’s office for possible charges against Smith.
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