The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office has filed murder charges against a driver who T-boned a sedan while allegedly feeling highway patrol officers and killed a 15-year-old girl.
On Tuesday, 24-year-old Bernandino Cuebas ran a red light and broadsided a red Mitsubishi Mirage at about 4 p.m. at the intersection of East San Fernando and South 10th streets, Officer Jose Garcia said.
The impact caused the 15-year-old girl, identified as Leyda Montufar, to be ejected from the front passenger seat of her mother's sedan.
She suffered traumatic head injuries and died at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center the following morning.
Montufar's 35-year-old mother was treated for moderate facial injuries and was released, Garcia said.
The woman's 12-year-old son, Johnny, and 6-year-old daughter, Nayla, were sitting in the back seat and were also injured. The fire department used the Jaws of Life to cut through the roof of the car and extricate the children, Garcia said.
Johnny, who suffered a moderate brain injury, remained hospitalized in serious condition today. Nayla was treated for a moderate brain injury and released Wednesday night.
After the crash, Cuebas, who police initially identified as Bernardino Cuevas, tried to run away, but California Highway Patrol officers were able to chase him down, Garcia said.
Cuebas had allegedly been fleeing the CHP in a black four-door Honda Civic at the time of the crash after officers tried to pull him over for a traffic violation, according to Garcia.
At different points during the pursuit, Cuebas crossed the double yellow line, exceeded speed limits and ran at least two red lights, according to a police report.
When an officer asked him why he ran, Cuebas allegedly answered, "I'm on the run."
He had an outstanding no-bail warrant for his arrest as a parolee at large, according to the report.
Cuebas and his passenger, a 24-year-old woman identified as Alina Portela, were taken to the hospital as a precaution. Portela suffered broken ribs in the crash and was treated and released.
Cuebas was taken to jail upon his release from the hospital.
He is charged with murder, eluding a pursuing peace officer and causing the death of another person, eluding a pursuing peace officer and causing serious bodily injury to another person, and hit and run accident resulting in permanent serious injury or death, according to district attorney spokeswoman Amy Cornell.
If convicted as charged, he could face 27 years and 8 months to life in prison, Cornell said.
Cuebas is being held without bail and will be arraigned July 29 in Santa Clara County Superior Court in San Jose.
The Police Department's traffic investigation unit is handling the crash investigation, which could take up to several months, Garcia said.
The CHP is investigating whether the officer who chased the Honda was acting within the CHP's pursuit protocol, Garcia said.
