Man pleads no contest to DUI manslaughter in crash that killed 2, including Costa Mesa man

A man who was charged with murder in connection with a crash that killed two people, including a Costa Mesa man, on the 57 Freeway in Diamond Bar in 2017 pleaded no contest Monday to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.

Vincent Delavega, 31, of Santa Ana is due back in court Tuesday, when victim impact statements are scheduled to be delivered.

Eduardo Goncalves-Lins, 28, of Costa Mesa and his passenger, Paula Queiroz-Lopes, 24, of Diamond Bar, were killed in the crash, which occurred shortly before 3 a.m. Oct. 28, 2017.

Goncalves-Lins was driving a 2014 Toyota Corolla south on the 57 when he veered to the right and crashed into the back of a tow truck parked on the right shoulder just south of Diamond Bar Boulevard, according to the California Highway Patrol. About a minute later, Delavega’s Toyota Tacoma struck the Corolla, and the Corolla’s driver and passenger were thrown onto the freeway, the CHP said.

Delavega, who suffered fractured ribs and chest bruises, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving under the influence.

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