Driver Accused of Killing Sister, Injuring Others In RivCo Street Attack

RIVERSIDE, CA — An unlicensed motorist accused of intentionally running over and killing his 20-year-old sister, as well as injuring four other people, during a curbside party near downtown Riverside is slated to be arraigned next week on multiple felony charges.

Brian Sandoval, 19, of San Bernardino was arrested last month following a Riverside Police Department investigation into the alleged attack that took the life of Daisy Sandoval, also of San Bernardino.

The young man is charged with first-degree murder, four counts of assault with a deadly weapon — in this car, a car — and one count of driving a motor vehicle without a license, as well as two sentence-enhancing allegations of inflicting injuries that left the victims comatose.

Sandoval made his initial court appearance last week before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Gail O'Rane, who scheduled his formal arraignment for June 10 at the Riverside Hall of Justice.

She also ordered that he be held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Byrd Detention Center.

According to RPD Detective Steven Espinosa, shortly before 1 a.m. on May 24, the defendant, his sister and numerous other people gathered for a "flyer party" in the 3500 block of Franklin Avenue, near Fifth Street, on the city's east side.

Flyer parties are generally held to promote an event and feature loud music, swag and food, with cars parked illegally.

Espinosa said patrol officers shut down the event before midnight, but some participants lingered.

The police spokesman said an altercation broke out between unidentified individuals, culminating in a robbery.

It was unclear whether Sandoval was a target during the holdup, or an alleged perpetrator, but according to Espinosa, he allegedly jumped behind the wheel of his car and "intentionally used the vehicle to strike multiple individuals," one of whom was his sister.

The identities of the four other victims were not disclosed.

Sandoval did not attempt to flee afterward.

Patrol officers arrested him without incident when they arrived at the location minutes later, according to police.

Daisy Sandoval was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. The other four victims were taken to Riverside Community Hospital for treatment. Two of the individuals were placed in intensive care. The other two were seriously injured but apparently did not require hospitalization.

The defendant has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.