The 28-year-old San Bernardino man charged with multiple crimes, including two counts of murder for the deaths of two sisters killed in a car crash in Rialto, is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.
Alexis Jose Garcia is charged with two counts of murder, two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, one count of hit and run resulting in death, driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury, driving with a BAC of 0.08% or causing more injuries and multiple special charges, according to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office.
The crash happened around 11pm, November 23rd. It was a Sunday evening as the family of four was driving back from a family event. Their Honda was struck by a Dodge Ram truck that ran a red light, with the driver fleeing the scene. The driver of the Honda, the mother and her passenger, the father, were taken to hospital with their injuries. Their two daughters in the backseat, Alenia Flores, 3, and Neveah Flores, 4, were killed at the scene and pronounced dead.
According to Rialto police, they arrested Garcia shortly after the crash, about a quarter-mile away after his truck became disabled.
The girls’ uncle, Angel Rodriguez, said he is “devastated, shocked, hurt, sad, scared for the future, worried for my mother, sister and our family, but I hope justice is served.”
Angel Rodriguez
Prosecutor Jason Anderson said the girls’ tragic alcohol-induced deaths were entirely preventable “and resulted from selfish and reckless behavior.”
“These two little girls should be writing their letters to Santa, but instead their families are faced with the unthinkable task of writing their eulogy. We send our deepest condolences to their loved ones.”
Garcia’s arraignment will take place at the Rancho Cucamonga courthouse, and the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office and Rialto Police have filed motions recommending no bail.
Lisa Avilez, the Flores girls’ step-grandmother, said she had just bought them Christmas presents. ‘They were angels. They laughed so much and were so happy,” she said.
According to police, the father is in critical condition.
