Man facing murder charges for allegedly killing 2 children in Rialto crash to appear in court
The 28-year-old San Bernardino man who has been charged in the deadly hit-and-run crash that killed two young sisters in Rialto is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.
Alexis Jose Garcia faces several charges including two counts of murder, two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and one count of hit-and-run resulting in death, according to the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office.
The crash happened around 11 p.m., Nov. 23 when the family of four was driving back from a family event. The family's Honda was hit by a Dodge Ram truck that ran a red light, with the driver fleeing the scene. The driver of the Honda, the mother and her passenger, the father, were taken to the hospital for their injuries. Their two daughters in the back seat, Alenia Flores, 3 and Neveah Flores, 4, were killed and died at the scene.
According to Rialto police, they arrested Garcia a short time after the crash, about one-quarter mile away after his truck became disabled.
The girls' uncle, Angel Rodriguez said he is "devastated shocked, hurt sad, scared for the future, worried for my mom, sister, our family, but hope justice gets served."
District Attorney Jason Anderson said the tragic death of the girls was completely preventable "and born out of selfish and reckless behavior."
"Those two little girls should be writing their letters to Santa, but instead their family is dealing with the unthinkable task of writing their eulogies. We send our deepest condolences to their loved ones," Anderson said.
Garcia's arraignment will be at the Rancho Cucamonga Courthouse. The San Bernardino County DA's Office and the Rialto Police Department have filed motions recommending no bail.
Lisa Avilez, the girls' stepgrandmother, said she had just bought Christmas presents for them.
"They were angels. They had so much laughter and joy in them," she said.
The father remains in critical condition, according to police.