Crime & Safety
Corvette Driver Charged In Double Murder In 2017 Fatal Crash
An Irvine man suspected of driving while intoxicated was charged in the murder of both his passengers, faces 30 years to life, OCDA said.
IRVINE, CA — A 23-year-old Irvine man was arrested Tuesday on second-degree murder charges in connection with a corvette crash in Irvine last year that killed two of his passengers.
Norman David Martin, who was being held on $2 million bail, was charged Monday with two counts of second-degree murder stemming from the July 22, 2017, predawn crash of a Chevrolet Corvette at Jamboree Road and Main Street.
Prosecutors allege Martin was speeding at 138 mph when he ran a red light and the Corvette struck the crown of the intersection and went airborne, slamming into three palm trees.
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Martin was ejected from the two-seater sports car along with his 26-year-old passengers, Jamie Lopez, and Nancy Ortiz, who were both pronounced dead at the scene. He was in critical condition at the scene, according to Orange County Fire Authority.
Martin had a blood-alcohol level at the legal limit of .08 hours after the crash, prosecutors allege.
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He could face up to 30 years to life in prison if convicted.
An arraignment date was not immediately scheduled.
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