DUI suspect identified as 17-year-old after Santa Clarita crash kills couple, injures adult daughter
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (KABC) -- A DUI suspect in custody has been identified as a 17-year-old after a violent crash in Santa Clarita that left a couple dead and their adult daughter hospitalized.
The suspect, whose name was not released because he is a minor, was being held Tuesday at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey.
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the suspect was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI and manslaughter in connection with the Friday night collision. He has a valid California driver's license and no prior traffic record, investigators said.
The deceased victims, Genry and Patty Ortiz, were driving home from church with their 25-year-old daughter at the time of the crash. The daughter, Erin, was hospitalized.
Genry and Patty were part of a local church community, and their family said they dedicated much of their time to giving back.
Around 11:15 p.m. on Friday, they were involved in a collision with another driver at the intersection of Newhall Ranch Road and Bouquet Canyon Road. One of the family members died at the scene, while the other passed away shortly afterward at the hospital, authorities said.
Eder David Ortiz, whose sister survived the crash, spoke to ABC7 on Friday about her condition.
''She's definitely in some pain. Her wrist is very hurt. I mean, really, her whole body, she can't really move," Eder David Ortiz said. "As believers in Christ, we don't really understand a lot of things that happen, but we trust that God does it for a reason, and he's going to take care of us and help us to just overcome whatever comes our way. "I'm just trying to navigate emotions and make sure my sister's OK."
The Sheriff's Department said deputies conducted a breathalyzer test on the 17-year-old suspect at the scene, and he was arrested on suspicion of DUI.
A GoFundMe has been set up for the Ortiz family to help with funeral expenses and medical bills as their daughter, Erin, now faces life-altering injuries.
"She's a full-time student, and she devotes her life to church as well. She's solely reliant on her parents. It definitely hits her really hard, as it's hitting all of us, but her as well," said Kaitlyn Ortiz, daughter-in-law of the deceased couple.
The family said they were relying on God and their friends and family for support.
"If you can just keep my sister in your prayers and my family. I really appreciate it," Eder David said.
