3 women killed, driver arrested for DUI after violent crash in Pomona

Leanne Suter Image
Sunday, March 3, 2024
3 women killed in suspected DUI crash in Pomona
"I wanted her to see me grow up." An 11-year-old boy who was about to be adopted by his aunt is in mourning after she was killed by an alleged DUI driver in Pomona.

POMONA, Calif. (KABC) -- Three families are in mourning after an alleged DUI driver slammed into a vehicle bringing five people home from a baby shower in Pomona, killing three women and critically injuring two people.

Note: Our coverage of this story has moved here.

The violent high-speed crash happened Saturday around 11 p.m. at at White Avenue and Phillips Boulevard.

The driver of the SUV that slammed into the other vehicle, identified as Victor Siharath, 36, of Pomona, was arrested for felony DUI.

Among the deceased was Yesenia (Ochoa) Olaez, 33, who was in the process of adopting her 11-year-old nephew.

That nephew, Brian Gonzalez, spoke at a vigil Sunday about how much he was looking forward to being raised by his aunt and getting out of the foster-care system.

"She was a loving mother," the 11-year-old said. "I feel like her time was way too short. Although I do know she died peacefully and she died loving me. I wanted her to see me grow up."

The other victims who died were identified by family members as Lorena Morales, who was driving the vehicle, and Alejandra Olaez, 33.

Juan Manuel "Jaime" Garcia, was the front-seat passenger and the husband of Lorena Morales. He was transported to a hospital in critical condition.

In the backseat was Noemi Olaez, the daughter of Alejandra. The 12-year-old girl was also hospitalized in the intensive-care unit.

GoFundMe pages have been established to help the families of all three women who were killed:

Yesenia Olaez.

Lorena Morales.

Alejandra Olaez.