Crime & Safety

Two Charged With Murder in West Covina Fatal Crash

They are accused of causing a crash on Christmas night that killed, Cilia La Torre, a 90-year-old woman.

Two motorists accused of street racing in West Covina and causing a crash that killed a 90-year-old woman on Christmas night were expected to be arraigned Friday.

Vincent Lopez, 30, and Victor Hugo Sanchez, 34, both from Rialto, were charged Thursday with murder and drunken driving. They were both tentatively expected to appear in court Friday, although Lopez was still hospitalized on Thursday.

The two are accused of taking part in a street race Tuesday night that ended when the vehicle driven by Lopez slammed into a van, killing Cilia La Torre, who was in a wheelchair in the back of the van.

Find out what's happening in Baldwin Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

La Torre had just been released from Queen of the Valley Hospital and was sitting in the wheelchair in the van being driven by her son, Jaime Ochoa, police said.

The woman was thrown from the van by the impact of the crash, and pronounced dead at the scene. Ochoa was taken to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, where he was treated for head trauma, authorities said.

Find out what's happening in Baldwin Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Police said Lopez and Sanchez were seen street racing on Lark Ellen Avenue in West Covina at about 9 p.m. Tuesday, moments before the crash.

Prior to the crash witnesses reported seeing Lopez and Sanchez run a stop sign at the corner of Lark Ellen and Merced avenues, near the collision site, police said.

Both had been drinking in a bar in the 200 block of South Glendora Avenue about an hour before the crash, detectives said.

Following the crash, Lopez was taken to the Queen of the Valley Hospital for treatment of leg injuries. Sanchez was arrested several hours later.

Both men face sentences of life in prison with the possibility of parole if convicted.

- City News Service

Subscribe to our Patch newsletter, which includes news alerts. Find us on Facebook and Twitter .


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.

More from Baldwin Park