DUI Murder Charges Filed In Crash That Orphaned 3 Children

NEWPORT BEACH, CA—A fatal collision in Newport Coast this week left three young girls hospitalized and orphaned. Now, their family is seeking support for the girls' future in an uncertain time.

Henry Eduardo Saldana-Mejia, 27, and his wife, Gabriela M. Andrade, 28, were driving through Newport Beach Tuesday evening. According to their family spokesperson, he was to pick up his last paycheck at The Resort at Pelican Hill Resort. Then, at 7:45 p.m., their Nissan was struck by a Range Rover. Both Saldana-Mejia and Andrade died at the scene.

The driver, Grace Elizabeth Coleman, 22, was charged with second-degree murder, DUI, and hit-and-run on Thursday.

The crash occurred Tuesday evening at Newport Coast Drive and Pelican Hills Road South, according to Heather Rangel, Newport Beach Police Department spokeswoman.

The children were riding in the back seat of the Versa, all injured, and both parents were pronounced dead at the scene.

According to a GoFundMe page created by Andrade's sister, the couple's daughters were 1, 3, and 5 years old. All are currently hospitalized in critical condition.

"The family was admiring Christmas lights in the area, and the girls were dressed in "their Christmas pajamas," she said. According to the GoFundMe, the family needs funds to help support them now and in the future for their expenses and long term educational needs.

Coleman faces two murder counts and one count each of driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury, DUI with a blood- alcohol level exceeding the legal limit of .08% causing injury, and failing to stop at a hit-and-run accident with injury or death, all felonies, according to reports.

She is also charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with a blood-alcohol content exceeding .08% or more, both misdemeanors. She faces sentencing enhancement allegations of inflicting great bodily injury on the three children.

Under state law, a driver with a prior DUI conviction who is subsequently involved in a deadly DUI crash can be charged with second-degree murder, which carries a life sentence.

Coleman was scheduled to be arraigned Thursday afternoon at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana.

"All three girls have suffered serious injuries in the crash and are at Mission Hospital," a family spokesperson said. "All funds raised will be monitored and used wisely for the sole benefit of the girls."

UPDATE: Coleman was arrested on suspicion of a previous DUI in Laguna Beach in August, however, she has not yet been charged in that instance due to awaiting toxicology reports. Her suspected DUI has not yet been brought to the OCDA's office for review, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office.