A 27-year-old man pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 11 years in prison for a hit-and-run, alcohol-fueled collision that killed two pedestrians in Orange, according to records obtained Monday.
Humberto Lopez Flores pleaded guilty Friday two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and a single count of hit-and-run with permanent and serious injury. He also admitted sentencing enhancements for fleeing the scene of a vehicular manslaughter.
As part of the plea deal, counts of driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury, DUI with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08% or more causing injury, all felonies, and a misdemeanor count of driving on a suspended license, were dismissed.
Flores killed 51-year-old Jose Huerta of Orange and 59-year-old Manuel Ortiz of Santa Ana on Thanksgiving night 2023, according to Orange Police Department Lt. Phil McMullin.
Police responded to the collision at 8:17 p.m. Nov. 23 in the 700 block of North Shattuck Place. The defendant was driving south on Shattuck in a Ford F-250 when he veered into a parked Chevy Silverado and the two pedestrians, police said.
Flores tried to run away, but patrol officers caught him at Lincoln Street and Oakmont Avenue, police said.