Couple Killed, Their 3 Young Children In Critical Condition After DUI Crash In Newport Beach
NEWPORT BEACH (CBSLA) — A couple was killed and their three young children were critically injured in a DUI crash in Newport Beach, police said Wednesday.
The crash happened at about 7:45 p.m. on Newport Coast Drive, a steep road that goes by Pelican Hill Resort in Newport Beach.
The man and the woman were pronounced dead at the scene. The man was identified as 27-year-old Henry Eduardo Saldana-Mejia of Santa Ana. The woman was his wife, 29-year-old Gabriela Andrade, according to family members.
The couple's children -- ages 1, 3 and 5 – were in the back seat and were taken to the hospital in critical condition.
The parents were on their way to pick up Saldana's last paycheck at the resort at Pelican Hill, where he had recently been working in housekeeping, according to his sister.
22yo woman arrested for #DUI. Mom and dad in second car died. Kids 1,3,5 in critical condition @NewportBeachPD https://t.co/VPmOmaRwdH
— michele gile (@michelegiletv) December 9, 2020
The second car involved, a Range Rover, was being driven by a 22-year-old woman who police say left the scene of the accident on foot, and was taken into custody a short distance away, police said.
She was later identified as Grace Elizabeth Coleman of Newport Beach. Coleman was booked on suspicion of murder, DUI causing bodily injury and hit-and-run resulting in death, according to Newport Beach police.
Coleman was also taken to the hospital following the crash, but police did not disclose the extent of her injuries.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family with expenses.