Inset: Edgar Banuelos (Monterey County Sheriff”s Office). Background: The rural road where Banuelos allegedly crashed his car and killed his son in Monterey County, Calif. (Google Maps).
A man from California is currently in jail following a high-speed crash that tragically ended in flames, claiming the life of his teenage son, according to state police reports.
Edgar Banuelos, aged 37, faces charges including second-degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and three counts of child abuse for putting a child in danger of severe injury. The accident resulted in the death of his 16-year-old son, Edgar Jeremiah Banuelos-Gonzalez, as confirmed by the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident took place on the evening of April 3, along Meridian Road near Revilla Drive, in a rural area of Monterey County, approximately 20 miles northeast of Monterey, as reported by the California Highway Patrol.
Formal charges were brought against Banuelos on Monday by the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office through a criminal complaint.
During a court appearance on Wednesday, prosecutors disclosed additional details about the case, according to a report from Salinas-based NBC and ABC affiliate KSBW.
“We take this matter very seriously,” stated Monterey County Chief Assistant District Attorney Berkley Brannon, particularly referring to the drunk-driving accusations. “Combining that with high-speed driving in a residential zone equates to murder,” he added.
The defendant pleaded not guilty during the hearing, court records reviewed by Law&Crime show.
Law enforcement claim Banuelos was driving westbound around 8 p.m., going 100 mph in a 25 mph zone, when he lost control of his Volkswagen sedan, veered off the road, and slammed into a tree.
Upon impact, the car burst into flames, authorities said.
“The car was going so fast, it became airborne over a small hill,” Brannon added. “He had three children in the car, three of his children. And he had alcohol in his system. And one of the kids, the 16-year-old, ended up burning in the car.”
The deceased teenager’s brothers, a 14-year-old and a 7-year-old, survived the crash and were treated at a hospital in San Jose with moderate injuries, according to the highway patrol. The defendant, for his part, suffered major injuries.
“This isn’t a story about, you know, driving under the influence, even,” the prosecutor continued. “This is a story about just a willful and wanton disregard for human life. He was very close to his house. I mean, this was totally unnecessary.”
The children’s mother has responded to the tragic news with calls for forgiveness, love and understanding.
“We don’t have room for hate in our heart,” Jessica Gonzalez previously told KSBW. “Just love and peace. I ask the community to please don’t have anger toward anyone. Toward his dad. Let’s forgive.”
Now, the grieving mother is expressing consternation at the state for the severity of the charges leveled against Banuelos.
“Honestly, like it breaks my heart to see that they’re charging him with murder,” she recently told the TV station. “Honestly, Edgar has always been there for his kids.”
In another prior interview, Gonzalez remembered her deceased child fondly, telling KSBW he was an athlete with whom she shared a special bond and spent a great deal of time with.
“I want to make sure that everyone knows how grateful me and my family and my kids are,” she said. “My baby boy Edgar. Was a really, really great kid. Who always brought a smile to everyone. No matter how upset they were, he always tried to be silly.”
The defendant is detained in the Monterey County Jail on $1.4 million bail. He is next slated to appear in court on May 6.
