Driver Admits Guilt in DUI Crash Resulting in Deaths of 3 After Bible Study [Orange County, CA]

Orange County, CA (APR, 18 2024): A Santa Ana man has been sentenced to 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to his involvement in a DUI crash that took the lives of two adults and a 10-year-old girl.

The tragedy occurred while the victims were returning from a Bible study meeting in Placentia.

The driver, 25-year-old Mario Armando Paz Jr., admitted guilt to three counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, one count of driving under the influence causing injury, and one count of DUI with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 or higher causing injury. His blood alcohol content was recorded at 0.14, nearly twice the legal limit.

The crash happened on January 25, 2023, when Paz ran a red light and crashed his Honda Civic into a white van, resulting in multiple ejections and severe damage. 

Officers from the Placentia Police Department responded to the crash scene at the intersection of Orangethorpe Avenue and South Melrose Street around 8:45 p.m.

Three victims lost their lives in the accident: 10-year-old Lucero Lopez of Anaheim, her stepfather Alberto Vicente Lopez, and 65-year-old Gregoria Ramirez of Placentia.

Several other vehicles were also involved in the crash, and numerous individuals sustained injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening. Emergency services transported several victims to UC Irvine Medical Center in Orange and Children’s Hospital Orange County for treatment.

The victims were being driven home in a church van by a church employee following a Bible study group when the crash occurred.

This tragic event highlights the serious consequences of driving under the influence and serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers on the road. Such a tragic case emphasizes the grave consequences of driving under the influence

Our law firm extends our deepest sympathies to the friends and family of the victim who are mourning the loss of their loved one.

It’s important to have experienced wrongful death lawyers on your side when losing a loved one in a car accident. Call us at 1-888-965-3827 for a free and confidential case evaluation. You can reach us 24 hours a day and 7 days a week by phone, text, and online chat.

Note: Our law office relies on external sources for the content of this post. Although we aim for accuracy, we have not independently verified all facts related to this incident. Should you identify any inaccuracies, please notify Crockett Law Group for corrections. Posts will be removed upon request.

Disclaimer: The content of this post is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation for business. The information contained herein is not intended to offer legal or medical advice. If you or someone you care about has been injured in an accident, it is recommended to seek immediate medical assistance. The photo featured in this post was not taken at the actual scene of the accident.

Source: MyNewsLA

The intersection of Orangethorpe Avenue and South Melrose Street where the accident happened leading to the deaths of two adults and a 10-year-old girl.