A Fontana man who has twice been convicted of DUI was charged with murder Wednesday after allegedly hitting and killing a 14-year-old girl while driving drunk in Newport Beach over Memorial Day weekend.
Joseph Alcazar, 30, allegedly had his 8-year-old daughter in the car and was driving with a blood alcohol level that was twice the legal limit at the time of the crash, the county district attorney's office said. of Orange in a statement.
José Alcázar.
(Orange County District Attorney's Office)
Prosecutors say Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, 14, of Rialto, was crossing a street shortly before 7 p.m. Saturday after spending the day at the beach. Alcazar allegedly drove around a car that had stopped to let the group of pedestrians cross, hitting Smiley and running over the foot of a 13-year-old girl.
Smiley died at the scene, authorities said. Alcazar stopped shortly after the accident and was taken into custody.
He has been charged with murder, felony driving under the influence causing great bodily injury with two prior convictions, and felony driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher with two. previous convictions. , according to the district attorney's office. He also faces a misdemeanor charge of intentionally endangering a child.
“A 14-year-old girl who was living the California dream enjoying a day of sun and sand at the beach with friends to kick off the start of summer is dead due to the selfish decision of a stranger,” the Orange County District Court said. . Lawyer. Todd Spitzer said in a statement.
Alcazar's previous DUI convictions were outside Orange County, prosecutors said, and he was seriously injured in one of those incidents.
Those convicted of DUI in California must receive a “Watson notice,” which warns them that those who kill others while driving under the influence may be charged with murder. It was unclear whether Alcázar had specifically signed such a document during any of his previous trials.
