Arrests made in Santa Ana hit-and-run that left 3 trick-or-treaters dead

SANTA ANA, Calif. (KABC) -- Multiple arrests have been made in connection to the hit-and-run that left three 13-year-old girls dead in Santa Ana on Halloween.

Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido told Eyewitness News five people have been arrested in connection and police believe one of them may be the driver. Police refused to release any further information before a news conference scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at the Santa Ana Police Department.

Twins Lexi Perez Huerta and Lexandra Perez Huerta and their family friend Andrea Gonzalez were fatally struck by a 2001 Honda CRV while trick-or-treating in the 1400 block of East Fairhaven Avenue at about 6:45 p.m.

An eyewitness later led police to the abandoned car at a nearby parking lot. Investigators collected evidence from the SUV, including fingerprints and DNA samples, Santa Ana police spokesman Anthony Bertagna said.

Meantime, the families are asking for donations to help give the three teens a proper funeral. A Facebook fundraiser and Go-Fund-Me page has been set up to help the Huerta family with funeral costs.

Jim D'Agostino, the principal of Santiago Charter Middle School, has set up a Go-Fund-Me page to raise money for the Gonzalez family.

More than 100 people gathered for an emotional vigil at the scene of the crash Sunday night. As family and friends struggle to comprehend the loss, they say they take comfort in knowing the suspects have been caught.

"The people who did this, you know, just left them there as if they were nothing," said Gonzalez's brother, Josafat. "They're finally in custody and they have to answer to justice, you know, that brings such a sigh of relief, not just to my parents, not just to the twins' family, you know, just to the whole community."