Driver Charged With Murder In Fatal Manhattan Beach Crash That Killed Woman, 24

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — A 35-year-old driver has been charged with murder following a four-vehicle collision in Manhattan Beach that killed a 24-year-old woman and seriously injured several others, according to criminal court documents obtained by Patch.

Titus Antolin faces five criminal counts stemming from the Oct. 9 collision near Manhattan Beach Boulevard and Aviation Boulevard, including murder, driving under the influence of a drug causing injury and felony hit-and-run resulting in death or serious injury.

The victim was identified as Danielle Antich, 24, whose death was attributed to blunt force injuries, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner. The department classified her death as an accident.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office confirmed Wednesday that prosecutors had filed a criminal complaint against Antolin, who was initially identified by Manhattan Beach police as Antolin Titus.

The complaint, executed Oct. 13 and filed with Los Angeles County Superior Court on Oct. 14, alleges that Antolin unlawfully killed Danielle Antich with malice aforethought.

Prosecutors Detail Five Criminal Counts

In addition to murder, prosecutors charged Antolin with felony driving under the influence of a drug causing injury and felony hit-and-run resulting in death or serious injury. He also faces misdemeanor counts of possession of nitrous oxide and driving without a valid driver's license.

The complaint alleges Antolin drove while impaired by a drug and acted illegally and negligently, causing bodily injury to Jordan Wible. Prosecutors further allege he caused injuries to two additional people, Islam Rewhia and Michael Sevastian Antich, both of whom are identified in allegations involving great bodily injury.

The documents do not establish whether Michael Sevastian Antich is related to Danielle Antich. In the nitrous oxide count, prosecutors allege Antolin possessed the substance with the intention of inhaling it for intoxication and was under its influence. The complaint does not establish whether nitrous oxide was responsible for his alleged impairment while driving.

Prosecutors also allege Antolin failed to stop and provide identifying information or reasonable assistance following the collision. The criminal complaint includes allegations concerning previous felony convictions in Los Angeles and Orange counties in 2011 and 2012, along with prior incarceration and violations of supervision conditions.

Those allegations have not been adjudicated in the current case.

Police Officer Among Those Injured

As Patch previously reported, an on-duty Manhattan Beach police officer witnessed the initial collision shortly after 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, before the officer's marked patrol vehicle and another vehicle were also struck.

The collision involved four vehicles, including the police vehicle. Manhattan Beach police and fire personnel responding to the scene found multiple injured people, with Danielle Antich pronounced dead at the scene. Several others were transported to hospitals, including the police officer, whose injuries were described as non-life-threatening.

According to an Oct. 12 statement from the Manhattan Beach Police Department, Antolin was released from the hospital Monday and taken into custody by officers.Police initially booked him on six suspected offenses, including reckless driving, which was not among the five counts subsequently filed by prosecutors.

Arraignment Scheduled For Oct. 26

Zara Lockshin, a public information specialist with the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, confirmed to Patch that Antolin waived time for arraignment and is scheduled to appear Oct. 26 in Department 8 of the Torrance Courthouse.

He remains in custody with bail set at $2,130,000, Lockshin said. The case is filed under Los Angeles County Superior Court No. 26TRCF00675. Antolin has not yet entered a plea to the charges, and the allegations against him have not been proven in court.

The collision remains under investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Manhattan Beach Police Department Traffic Officer Gaunt at 310-802-5098.