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A 36-year-old man is facing murder charges after he allegedly hit and killed three women while driving drunk on March 2, 2024, in Pomona, California. (KNBC/YouTube)
A tragedy unfolded in southern California when three women returning from a baby shower were hit and killed by an alleged drunk driver.
The driver, 36-year-old Victor Siharath, is now facing three counts of murder and one count of driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage causing injury, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said in a press release. Siharath allegedly ran a red light at the intersection of White Avenue and Phillips Boulevard in Pomona around 11 p.m. Saturday and struck a sedan carrying the three women, a man and a 12-year-old girl.
Pomona police say two of the women died at the scene while doctors pronounced the third dead at a hospital. The man and girl were rushed to the hospital with serious injuries but are expected to survive. Siharath refused to take a Breathalyzer test at the scene.
“There are no words to express the heartbreak that Mr. Siharath’s actions have caused these victims’ families and community,” Gascón said. “Our hearts go out to the grieving families and the survivors as they attempt to cope with this unimaginable tragedy. Those who choose to jeopardize themselves and others by driving under the influence will face swift legal consequences. There is nothing that can bring back the countless lives lost to speeding and drunk driving, but our office will continue to hold those responsible.”
The victims are Yesenia Olaez, her sister-in-law Alejandra Olaez, both 33, and the car’s driver Lorena Morales. The baby shower was for Morales’ granddaughter.
Family and loved ones set up GoFundMe pages for all three women. Yesenia Olaez was described as a “wonderful wife, daughter, sister and mother.” Alejandra Olaez was a mother to three children who worked hard to take care of them “almost never spending time on her own.” Morales‘ death was described as a “tremendous loss as a result of a careless drunk driver.”
From left: Lorena Morales, Alejandra Olaez and Yesenia Olaez were hit and killed by an alleged drunk driver while they were driving back from a baby shower on March 2, 2024, in Pomona, California. A man is facing murder charges. (GoFundMe pages)
Bianca Gonzalez told KTLA she lost her sister, Yesenia, and sister-in-law Alejandra in the crash.
“All the family is heartbroken, it’s a double loss tragedy right here,” Gonzalez told the outlet. “Everybody is not OK right now.”
Siharath is at the Los Angeles County Jail without bond. If convicted he faces life in prison.
The impact of the deaths of the three women has been felt throughout the Pomona community, Mayor Tim Sandoval said.
“Driving under the influence is 100% preventable,” he said. “Individuals who ignore the law need to understand that there are repercussions for their senseless actions, that often result in tragedy, pain and loss to the victims’ families and our community.”
