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Suspected DUI Driver Charged in Deadly Taco Truck Crash









Two people were killed when a suspected drunk driver slammed into a taco truck in Boyle Heights KTLA-TV



KTLA News
12:44 a.m. PDT, June 19, 2012

BOYLE HEIGHTS, Calif. (KTLA) -- A suspected drunk driver was in court Tuesday to face charges of murder charges after allegedly plowing into a crowd near a taco truck, killing 2 people.

38-year-old Elba Jimenez is set to be arraignment on July 12 on two counts of murder, one felony count each of evading an officer, driving under the influence causing injury, and driving with .08 percent or higher blood alcohol level causing injury.

The CHP noticed a grey Toyota Camry speeding and weaving in and out of lanes on the northbound 5 Freeway near Fourth Street around 11 p.m. Saturday.



The female driver ignored officers' attempts to pull her over and exited at Cesar Chavez Avenue.

Just after exiting the freeway, the driver ran through a red light and into a parking lot, crashing into a crowded taco truck.

Marlene Alatorre, 19, and Claudia Fernandez, 38, were killed in the accident.

Alatorre, leaves behind a 1-year-old baby, according to her mother.

"[The driver] came off the freeway and hit my daughter and tore her apart," she said. "They can't let me see her because she's in pieces."

Two people inside the taco truck, a man and a pregnant woman, were taken to L.A. County Medical Center for injuries.

Jimenez, of Upland, sustained minor injuries.

She was arrested on charges on suspicion of drunken driving.

Alatorre's family is accepting donations for funeral services.

Donations can be made through Martin Alatorre at 323-422-5048 or martinalatorre77@hotmail.com.


KTLA.com

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