Man, 20, Found Guilty Of Killing Father, Son In 2010 DUI Crash
SANTA ANA (CBSLA.com) — A now 20-year-old man was convicted Friday of murdering a father and son in an early morning high-speed DUI crash in 2010.
A jury found Rafael Lopez of Anaheim, then 18, guilty of two felony murder counts for the 5:30 a.m. crash on December 18, 2010.
He faces 30 years in prison when sentenced in June.
Officials said that Lopez was driving his Mitsubishi sedan -- more than 80 mph and under the influence of alcohol -- on Crescent Avenue in Buena Park when he slammed into another vehicle.
Authorities said Lopez ran a red light and hit a Buick sedan driving by 44-year-old Steven Uselton. The man's 17-year-old son, Douglas, was riding in the passenger seat.
The father was driving his son to an early-morning high school debate tournament.
The impact caused the victim's car to travel more than 130 feet before it came to a stop. Both Uselton men were declared dead at the scene.
Lopez had minor injuries and a blood alcohol level of .13 following the crash.
The victims were survived by a wife/mother and teenage daughter/sister.
