Case Involving Pleasanton Woman Suspected of DUI in Deadly Crash Garnering National Attention

SAN RAMON, CA — The tragic San Ramon collision that killed a 3-year-old boy and injured his mother and siblings has drawn national attention because the driver involved has been arrested on suspicion of drunken driving twice in the last 90 days.

The case was featured on the Nancy Grace Show Wednesday night. During a tearful phone interview with Grace, Chuck Manioki, the grandfather of 3-year-old Elijah Dunn, the toddler who was killed during the Sept. 9 crash, says he wants justice for his family.

Yarenit Liliana Malihan, 39, the wife of an Alameda County Sheriff’s deputy, was arrested by CHP officers on suspicion of driving under the influence and gross vehicular manslaughter after the fatal Friday night crash on I-680 in San Ramon.

Malihan was driving on a provisional license Friday night as the result of another alleged DUI-related crash in Pleasanton. According to Alameda County Court records, Malihan was arrested in June and faces three charges, including child cruelty and driving under the influence, which were filed in August.

Pleasanton Police Sgt. Larry Cox said several people had reached out on social media criticizing the Police Department for not suspending Malihan's license after her first DUI, and that perhaps if they had, Friday's tragedy wouldn't have occurred.

"Police do not suspend licenses, and that night we went through the correct process, which is to refer the case to the Department of Motor Vehicles," Cox said.

According to police, officers filled out a DMV form the night of her first arrest, which would become Malihan's temporary license until she attended a formal hearing to determine the status of her license. Cox said he doesn't know what the status of Malihan's license would have been after the hearing, but that a license being suspended is not always the outcome for driving under the influence.

"It depends on the circumstances of each case, but the police do not have the authority to suspend licenses," he said.

Alameda County District Attorney's Office spokeswoman Teresa Drenick said Malihan's attorney appeared in court on Aug. 31 for the DUI incident in Pleasanton, but she did not know what happened at the hearing.

On Sept. 9, a black 2007 Toyota Camry with three children and their mother inside was parked on the shoulder of the highway after they ran out of gas when Malihan's white 2008 Toyota Sequoia crashed into the back of it killing Dunn and hospitalizing his mother and siblings, CHP officials said.
Malihan has not yet been charged in Contra Costa County for the second alleged DUI.

The East Bay community is rallying to raise money to help the Dunn family pay for the loss of income, medical bills and funeral costs following the crash. Click here to find the Elijah Dunn Family account.

Previous coverage:

• Pleasanton Woman Allegedly Involved in Drunken Driving Crash Weeks Before Fatal DUI Collision on I-680, Report Says
• Community Rallies to Raise Funds for Family of Toddler Killed in San Ramon Crash
• Both Families Devastated By San Ramon Crash That Killed 3-Year-Old
• Major Collision That Injured Children on I-680 Turns Fatal

Photo via Shutterstock
Bay City News contributed to this report.