Man Arrested on Suspicion of Murder in Connection with Fatal DUI Collision in Fountain Valley
An Orange County man has been taken into custody on an arrest warrant for murder in connection with a traffic collision that took place in February.
According to a press release by the Fountain Valley Police Department, a traffic collision occurred at the intersection of Euclid Street and Slater Avenue on the afternoon of February 26,, prompting a response from the department. The incident reportedly involved a white 2022 Toyota Camry traveling northbound on Euclid Street and a white 2008 Dodge Caravan making a left turn from southbound Euclid Street onto eastbound Slater Avenue.
The driver of the Dodge Caravan, identified as 54-year-old Thomas Leppin from Garden Grove, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Fountain Valley Police Department’s Traffic Investigators conducted a thorough examination of the scene and gathered pertinent evidence. After an extensive investigation, it was determined that the operator of the Toyota Camry, identified as 52-year-old Kevin Cooper hailing from Costa Mesa, had allegedly been operating the vehicle under the influence.
The case was presented to the District Attorney, leading to the issuing of an arrest warrant.
On August 10, law enforcement officials took Cooper into custody at his home in Costa Mesa. He was booked on suspicion of murder in connection with the warrant.
It was unclear at press time whether Cooper had retained an attorney.
