Pregnant Wife, Young Child Were Home When Dad Was Killed By Suspected DUI Driver
ANAHEIM (CBSLA.com) — Authorities say a man who was killed in an overnight crash in Anaheim is survived by his pregnant wife and a 4-year-old daughter.
Police said the victim, now identified as 34-year-old Tarek Hamed, was turning into his driveway at the time of the deadly collision.
Anaheim police said the three-car collision unfolded around 3:15 a.m. Sunday in the 1500 block of W. Ball Road.
A preliminary investigation revealed that a Nissan Maxima was traveling westbound on Ball Road from Walnut Street at a "high rate of speed," police said.
That's when the driver lost control, traveled into oncoming traffic and collided into a Toyota Camry, which was turning into the driveway of an apartment complex.
Hamed, the driver of the Camry, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Maxima, identified as 18-year-old Jorge Martinez, was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and driving without a license, authorities said.
Police said another teen in the Maxima -- a 17-year-old female -- was taken to the hospital by ambulance in stable condition.
Police said they are investigating the possibility that the Maxima was involved in a street race prior to the crash. Police said there was "no doubt" he was speeding and that drugs and or alcohol were factors.
CBS 2's Laurie Perez spoke to the victim's devastated friends.
They are heartbroken. They said Hamed was only living in this country for the past 10 months.
"He loved life [more than] all the people in the world," said friend and co-worker Amer Yassen.
After hearing the thunderous crash, neighbors ran to help.
"I tried to help but the car was throwing a lot of smoke and gas and then people started saying 'back up!' " said Raul Eheraheta.
For more information and a link to a GoFundMe account to help with funeral expenses, click here.
