Orange County Man Arrested for Killing Three Women While Under the Influence
Santa Ana– An Orange County man has been arrested for striking three pedestrians with his vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Anthony Lewis Sanchez, 40, was under the influence when he struck three women while driving at a high rate of speed on February 9th.
Anthony Sanchez
56-year-old Carmen Mendoza was walking home from a baby shower around 11 pm with her 21-year-old daughter Sheyla Mendoza and 21-year-old niece Stephanie Henriquez when they were hit by Sanchez’s car at a high rate of speed. Police say that Sanchez failed to stop his car and barely reduced his speed before hitting the women.
Sheyla was pronounced dead at the scene; Carmen and Stephanie were transported to the UC Irvine Medical Center where they later died from their injuries. Sanchez and a female passenger were injured during the accident and were taken to the hospital. Sanchez was arrested after he was released from the hospital.
The charges against Sanchez include three felony counts of vehicular manslaughter causing death with gross negligence while intoxicated, one felony count of driving under the influence causing bodily injury, one felony count of driving with a blood alcohol level of .08 percent or more causing bodily injury. There is the possibility of sentence enhancements and allegations for causing death to multiple victims, having a blood alcohol level over .15 percent, and causing great bodily injury.
Henriquez was a student at Cal State Fullerton, and Sheyla attended a local community college.
If convicted, Sanchez faces a maximum sentence of 12 years and eight months in state prison. He is currently being held
Read More:
1) CBS Los Angeles- Buena Park Man Charged in Alleged DUI Death of 3 Female Pedestrians
2) Los Angeles Times- O.C. Man Charged with Manslaughter, DUI in Deaths of Three Women
