ANAHEIM, Calif (KABC) — An Orange County mom continues to mourn after her daughter and husband have been killed in a automotive crash final yr.
The DUI suspect who police mentioned crashed into them was arrested, however now there could also be a plea deal within the works.
Erika Lopez mentioned she’s apprehensive the potential plea deal might find yourself within the suspect serving much less time behind bars.
Holding her child Estrellita, Lopez mentioned her youngest youngster carries in her slightly of her late first daughter and her husband. Lopez mentioned her surviving child and son have been what stored her going after an unimaginable loss in January 2023.
The then pregnant Anaheim mom was among the many survivors of a wreck that claimed three lives – Lopez’s 10-year-old daughter Lucero, her husband Alberto and a church buddy. Lopez’s sister-in-law was left disabled.
The group was on its means dwelling after bible research from Nueva Vida Church in Placentia, when police mentioned a suspected drunk driver slammed his automotive into their van.
Talking in Spanish, Lopez mentioned she was unable to look ahead to the subsequent day, admitting having ideas of taking her personal life.
After pushing by way of the darkness, there was extra heartache.
Lopez advised Eyewitness Information the DUI suspect, Mario Armando Paz Jr., might get a plea deal.
Lopez mentioned although he was imprisoned, he is nonetheless alive and will get the prospect to eat and converse with mates in jail.
“I do not see my daughter. I do not converse with my daughter. I do not see my husband,” Lopez mentioned in Spanish. “My child does not know the caress of her father.”
Gabriel Jenson, an assistant legal professional with the regulation agency representing the victims within the civil case, mentioned getting compensation for them is a problem in California.
“Organizations such because the church, for instance, and companies usually carry minimal insurance coverage limits and insurance policies and the place we’re at proper now, there’s about $130,000 to divide between 10 to 13 claimants,” Jenson mentioned.
To this mom and widowed spouse, justice is life behind bars for the now 25-year-old DUI suspect.
Lopez mentioned she has had a tough time discovering employment and making ends meet for herself and her youngsters. She advised Eyewitness Information she lastly discovered work three weeks in the past. Anybody wanting to assist Lopez and her youngsters can donate right here to their GoFundMe web page.
Copyright © 2024 KABC Tv, LLC. All rights reserved.
