By Jessica Terrell and Lou Ponsi
Orange County Register
LA HABRA, Calif. — After a five month investigation, the California Highway Patrol is recommending that the Orange County District Attorney’s office consider vehicular manslaughter charges against a La Habra police officer involved in a fatal traffic accident in April, according to the La Habra Police Department.
Officer Nancy Garcia, who has two years of experience as a law enforcement officer, was responding to an emergency assistance call from a fellow officer pursuing a fleeing parolee on April 5.
With her emergency lights and siren on, Garcia ran a red light traveling northbound on Euclid at La Habra Boulevard, broadsiding a car traveling eastbound on La Habra Boulevard. Garcia was traveling approximately 62 mph, according the CHP investigation released Monday.
The car’s passenger, Suzanne Antuna, age 55, died at the scene. Her husband, Charles Antuna, died early the next morning at UCI medical Center.
Family members of the Antunas filed $18.5 million in claims against the city in late April, charging that Garcia was responsible for the couple’s death.
According to claim documents, the couple was on route to their youngest daughter’s choir performance.
An off-duty officer assisted Garcia – who sustained nominal injuries in the accident – leaving the Antunas “in their vehicle unattended to until (CHP officers) arrived,” according to the claim.
The case will be jointly presented to DA’s office by the CHP and the La Habra police for evaluation. It will be up to the DA’s office to determine whether it will pursue vehicular manslaughter charges.
“I think they should,” said Arthur Mapola, Suzanne Antuna’s brother.
Garcia, who was briefly hospitalized for injuries she sustained in the accident, is currently assigned to non-patrol duties.
Now that the CHP investigation has concluded, the police department will move forward with its own internal review of the incident, La Habra Police Chief Dave Hinig said in a statement released Tuesday.
“This entire incident has been a terrible tragedy that not only took two innocent lives, but has profoundly affected the surviving family members, the officer involved in the accident, members of the Police Department and our entire community,” Hinig said.
Copyright 2009 Orange County Register