The driver accused of killing an off-duty Los Angeles Police officer and his passenger during a high-speed crash in Northridge is facing charges that include two counts of murder, it was announced Thursday.
According to police, 20-year-old Brian David Olivarez, allegedly ran a red light while driving under the influence at a speed of 100 mph on Nov. 4. He is now facing charges that include murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and DUI and a drug-causing injury. The suspect is being held on $4.025 million bail at the Van Nuys Jail, according to county jail records.
Authorities identified the deceased as LAPD Officer Darrell Cunningham and his passenger, 31-year-old Jorge Soriano. Both were pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiners Office.
The crash occurred at about 1 a.m. in the 18000 block of West Roscoe Boulevard when the officer's Infiniti was struck by a BMW.
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Officer Darrell Cunningham and his passenger died at the scene. The officer, who had just less than five years on the job, is survived by a fiancée and two sons, ages 3 and 6. He worked out of the department's West Los Angeles station.
Three other people, including the BMW driver and an off-duty San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputy in the Infiniti were hospitalized.
