Drunk Driving Accident Kills Couple in Los Angeles

According to the Los Angeles Police Department, an alcohol-induced car accident claimed the lives of two people this past Saturday morning in Hollywood, California.

The incident occurred at around 1:00 in the early morning. Jose Luis Vargas, a 31-year-old California resident, was driving his 1994 Acura Legend on Sunset Boulevard when he ran at red light at a Gower Street intersection. He then crashed into a Honda Civic going through the intersection on the green light. The crash killed both a man and a woman in the Civic.

As of right now, the Los Angeles Police Department has not released the names of the victims, as their families need to be notified.

Police stated that when the accident occurred, the Civic was going east on Gower Street. The impact of the Acura Legend was so quick and forceful that it caused the Civic to collide with another vehicle, a 2008 Ford Escape that had stopped at a light on Sunset Boulevard. Luckily, the driver of the Escape was not injured in this deadly crash.

When police arrived on the scene, it was apparent that Vargas was under the influence of alcohol. He was immediately arrested and booked for murder after he was taken to a nearby hospital for minor injuries he sustained in the crash. His bail has been set for a whopping $1 million, which has not been posted for him. The date of Vargas' trial will be posted soon.

The speed limit on the street that Vargas was traveling on is only 35 MPH. Police have not yet determined exactly how fast Vargas was going when he crashed into the Honda Civic and instantly killed the couple inside.

Los Angeles Police Department Office April Harding said, "This is a very tragic accident that took the lives of two innocent people. It's amazing how people continue to drink and drive with all of the public service announcements, statistics, and the severe penalties and punishment that are associated with drinking and driving."