Man pleads in O.C. DUI crash that injured 9

SANTA ANA Miguel Angel Sandoval, 43, is charged with driving under the influence causing bodily injury and driving with a blood-alcohol over .08 percent.

In addition, Sandoval faces sentencing enhancements for causing great bodily injury to a child under 5 years old.

On Sept. 6, authorities said Sandoval was driving drunk when his car jumped a curb and drove onto a sidewalk along the 1400 block of McFadden Avenue. He then allegedly continued to drive after crashing into a 25-year-old Santa Ana mother and her toddler daughter.

The two were pinned under Sandoval's Chevrolet Suburban and dragged approximately 50 feet across the street. Sandoval also crashed into seven others, including another mother and daughter who were walking east on McFadden Avenue.

When officers arrived on scene, Sandoval failed his field sobriety tests. About an hour after the crash, Sandoval's blood alcohol level was at .20, which is more than double the legal limit.

All the victims were transported to area hospitals. The first toddler to be hit was knocked unconscious upon impact and suffered a broken leg, fractures and extensive burns. The second toddler suffered traumatic injuries to her face and head. The two mothers were treated for multiple fractures and abrasions.

If convicted, Sandoval faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison. He is being held on $100,000 bail.

City News Service contributed to this report.

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