Los Angeles, Ca
Family devastated after motorcyclist killed by DUI driver in Orange County
The family of a motorcyclist remains devastated after he was killed by a drunk driver who was speeding at over 100 miles per hour in Orange County.
The victim was identified as Alexander Marce, 28, an Anaheim resident.
On June 12, Alexander was stopped at a red light on Orangethorpe Avenue in Fullerton when a driver in a BMW struck him and ejected him off his bike.
The suspect continued driving away while dragging Alexander’s motorcycle, which was still wedged underneath the car, for a “significant distance,” said the Fullerton Police Department.
Witnesses followed the suspect and were able to detain him until police arrived at the scene. The suspect was identified as Francisco Garcia-Vargas, 44.
At the time of the crash, Garcia-Vargas had a blood alcohol level of almost three times the legal limit and was driving at more than 100 mph toward a red light without slowing down, prosecutors said.
The victim’s family remains heartbroken and devastated over Alexander’s death.
“Alexander was magnetic,” said Erika Diaz, the victim’s aunt. “He was incredibly determined. He brought so much light.”
“My two sisters came into the house crying and my mom and I woke up, we were extremely scared,” recalled Carlos Marce, the victim’s brother. “We had no idea what was going on.”
Alexander was an aspiring musician who had put his dreams on hold to help earn money to support his family while his mother was battling cancer.
“He didn’t deserve to be murdered this way,” Carlos said. “In such a horrendous and tragic way.”
Video recorded following the crash showed the suspect stumbling during a field sobriety test. Police said he did not try to stop or pull over to help Alexander after hitting him.
“It hurts me and affects the whole family that a man in this state could just run over somebody and continue revving the vehicle,” Carlos said.
Garcia-Vargas was arrested and charged with three felonies including gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury, and driving with a blood alcohol content of .08% or higher.
If convicted on all counts, he faces up to 10 years in state prison.
Alexander’s family hopes that sharing this story will serve as a stark reminder to others that driving under the influence is never worth it.
“It’s not just risking your life, but other people’s lives, innocent lives,” Carlos said. “It’s not worth it.”
Alexander’s aunt said the family is also lobbying for stricter laws when it comes to DUI drivers.
“A vehicle is a killing machine,” said Diaz. “There’s got to be some type of severe consequences for individuals when they get involved in accidents like this. We are hoping we can set up a meeting with a state senator to discuss some type of bill [addressing these issues.]”
A GoFundMe page to help Alexander’s family with funeral expenses can be found here.
While investigating the crash, a police cruiser that was blocking traffic on Orangethorpe Avenue was struck by a motorist in a Tesla that was in self-drive mode.
The crash caused the police car to spin around, leaving the front end heavily damaged. An officer was standing near the vehicle, but jumped out of the way just in time and was not injured.
Los Angeles, Ca
Family desperate to find girl, 13, missing in Los Angeles for nearly a week
(KTLA) – Family, as well as police, are desperate to find a 13-year-old girl missing in Los Angeles for nearly a week, officials announced Wednesday.
Naomi Daniella Santos was last seen by family members when she left her residence in the 8700 block of Langdon Avenue at around 8 a.m. on Dec. 13 to attend school at Magnolia Science Academy in the 18200 block of Sherman Way, according to a news release from the Los Angeles Police Department.
Santos was supposed to take public transportation after school to meet her mother at Parthenia Street and Tobias Avenue in Panorama City but never showed up. Her whereabouts remain unknown.
“Naomi’s parents, friends and family members have not seen or heard from her and are concerned for her safety,” police said.
The teen is described as a Hispanic female with black hair and brown eyes, standing approximately 5 feet tall and weighing around 110 pounds. She was last seen wearing a blue sweater and gray pants and was carrying a blue backpack.
Anyone with information about her whereabouts is urged to contact LAPD’s Mission Area Juvenile Detectives at 818-838-9810.
Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-222-8477 or leave tips online at www.lacrimestoppers.org.
Los Angeles, Ca
Krispy Kreme partners with Los Angeles bakery for Hanukkah treats collection
Krispy Kreme is partnering with Lodge Bread, a Los Angeles-based bakery, for an exclusive holiday collection to celebrate Hanukkah.
For a limited time, Krispy Kreme’s signature fluffy doughnut base will be combined with Lodge Bread’s artisanal, house-made raspberry jam to create traditional Hanukkah sufganiyot or jelly doughnuts.
These special sufganiyot will be available in limited quantities throughout Hanukkah on a first-come, first-served basis. Doughnuts are sold by the half-dozen for $30, with a limit of two boxes per customer.
The treat will be available at Lodge Bread’s Culver City, Woodland Hills, and Beverly Hills locations.
“We’re excited to team up with Krispy Kreme to bring our own spin to this beloved Hanukkah tradition,” Chef Or Amsalam, co-founder of Lodge Bread, said in a statement. “This collaboration is a true celebration of craft, quality and the joy of the season.”
This year, Hanukkah will begin at sundown on Dec. 25 and end at sundown on Jan. 2, 2025.
Los Angeles, Ca
Southern California community plagued by destructive burglaries
An Orange County community is concerned after violent and destructive burglaries continue targeting the same neighborhood over the past several weeks.
The burglaries are centered around an upscale gated community in Irvine called The Groves at Orchard Hills.
Surveillance cameras captured intruders lurking around backyards and searching for opportunities to enter homes.
Residents said eight houses have been burglarized so far with one incident turning violent.
“We’re on our eighth now it’s just mind-boggling,” said a resident, who did not wish to be identified for safety reasons. “It’s scary and it’s unsettling.”
Neighbors have found hidden cameras pointed at homes, appearing to surveil them and likely timing the break-ins to when occupants leave.
“It was installed in the bushes so that they can see our houses,” the resident told KTLA’s Mary Beth McDade.
In a recent break-in, thieves reportedly escaped with millions of dollars worth of jewelry and luxury handbags after accessing a home through a back door.
“When I spoke to [the victims] they were just trembling, shaking and traumatized,” the resident said. “The grandmother was actually inside the house while this all happened.”
In a separate incident, victims said intruders pulled out a gun during the ordeal and held the victims hostage.
“It was at gunpoint and someone was tied up,” another neighbor told KTLA. “It’s really scary.”
Neighbors are scared and frustrated with many asking city officials and the police department to address the concern with increased security and patrols.
“We need to see some action,” a resident said.
“I’m here today to reassure the community that we are working very closely with Irvine Police,” said Dr. Vigor, HOA president of The Groves at Orchard Hills.
Police told KTLA that communities across Southern California have been increasingly targeted by professional thieves who are often linked with international theft rings and crime groups. They told residents they’re aware of the issue and are working to combat future incidents.
“We have dedicated an extreme amount of resources to this issue,” said Kyle Oldoerp with the Irvine Police Department. “Some that are easily seen and some that aren’t. We have officers on extra patrols. We have undercover resources, surveillance teams out here, video cameras using our real-time crime center.”
A town hall meeting will be held on Wednesday night by Irvine Police to discuss and address residents’ concerns.
So far, no suspects have been arrested. Anyone with information on the burglaries can call Irvine Police at 949-724-6000.
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