Drunk driver sentenced to 25 years in prison for Long Beach crash that killed 3-year-old, parents

LONG BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- A drunk driver who struck and killed a family of three in Long Beach while they were out on Halloween night in 2019 has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.

Earlier this year, Carlo Adrian Navarro was found guilty of three counts each of murder and vehicular manslaughter. He received his sentence on Thursday and apologized to the family of the victims in court.

"I wish I could bring them back but I can't," he said.

He told the court that facing the victims' relatives was his biggest fear, "knowing that I'll never be able to give you guys back what you lost."

He added, "I am truly sorry."

Drunk driver found guilty of murder in 2019 Long Beach crash that killed 3-year-old, parents

The 23-year-old was convicted for the deaths of Joseph Awaida, 30, Raihan Dakhil Awaida, 32, and their 3-year-old son, Omar. They were trick-or-treating near Los Cerritos Park when they were struck.

The family was struck around 9:55 p.m. Oct. 31, 2019, in the area of Country Club Drive and Los Cerritos Park Place.

Joseph Awaida died that night. The couple's son died Nov. 2, and his mother died the following day.

"On Halloween night, three years ago, I lost not one, not two, but three members of my own family ... it constitutes one third of my family," said Fisil Khalil.

Navarro, who was 20 at the time of the crash, could have faced as much as 45 years to life in prison. But Superior Court Judge Laura Laesecke said she believed Navarro could still be an asset to the community.

Navarro was driving a 2002 Toyota Sequoia southbound on Country Club Drive and failed to make a turn, according to Long Beach police. Instead, he drove onto the sidewalk and hit the family as they were walking home after a night of trick-or-treating, authorities said.

City News Service contributed to this report.