On Wednesday, January 19, 2011, a deadly Orange County car crash that took the lives of a Southern California couple occurred in the eastbound lanes of the 91 Freeway in Anaheim. Authorities reported that the crash occurred just before 1 a.m. on Wednesday, due to a wrong-way driver.
Louis Fragoso, a 21-year-old driver of South Gate, was behind the wheel of his white Mercedes-Benz, traveling in the wrong direction on State Route 91. A number of calls were made to 911 to report the wrong-way driver. The accident happened in the carpool lane near Harbor Boulevard in Anaheim, as Fragoso’s Mercedes hit a Toyota Scion head-on at freeway speeds.
Alan Reyes, the 25-year-old driver of the Scion, and his 24-year-old passenger, Vanessa Cease, of Long Beach, were both killed in this head-on collision. Reyes was ejected from the vehicle.
On Thursday, Orange County prosecutors charged Fragoso with two felony counts of vehicular manslaughter by unlawful manner of driving with gross negligence with sentencing enhancements for causing great bodily injury.
If convicted, he could face a maximum of nine years in prison. Prosecutors are asking that bail be set at $150,000. Currently, Fragoso is hospitalized at UCI Medical Center due to the severe injuries he suffered in the crash. Once he is released from the hospital, he will be taken into police custody.
The toxicology reports are pending at this time, and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is still investigating this crash.
We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of this Southern California couple. We send our thoughts and condolences to the families and friends of both victims.
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