Newport Beach pedestrian killed: Fontana man with prior drunken driving convictions charged with murder, DUI

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (KABC) — A Fontana man with a prior drunken driving conviction was driving drunk with his 8-year-old daughter in the car when he rear-ended a 14-year-old girl crossing the street in Newport Beach, police say. prosecutors.

Joseph Alcazar, 30, faces murder and drunken driving charges and could be sentenced to 15 years to life plus six years, according to Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer's office.

Alcazar's arraignment Wednesday was continued through June 14 and he is being held without bail.

Investigators say Alcazar struck and killed Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley of Rialto on Saturday. He also allegedly crushed the foot of a 13-year-old girl.

A statement from the prosecutor's office describes how the events allegedly unfolded:

“On Saturday, May 25, at approximately 6:49 p.m., Rosenda Elizabeth Smiley, 14, of Rialto, was crossing E. Balboa Boulevard west of Palm Street with two others against the “Do Not Walk” sign. was stopped to let the group of pedestrians, including Smiley, cross the street, but another driver, later identified as Alcazar, was accused of going around the stopped car and hitting Smiley, who died at the scene. the collision, and running over the foot of a 13-year-old girl.

His blood alcohol level was described as “twice the legal limit”.

Alcazar's 8-year-old daughter and another man were in the car, according to the prosecutor's office.

Alcazar has two prior convictions for driving under the influence. The DA's office says one of those previous incidents involved him in a single-vehicle crash that left him seriously injured.

“A 14-year-old girl living the California dream and enjoying a day of sun and sand at the beach with friends to start the summer died because of the selfish decision of a stranger,” Spitzer said . “A multiple drunk driver not only killed a little girl, but he also endangered his own daughter's life by getting behind the wheel after drinking and traumatizing her and the other young girls who crashed seen hitting and killing a teenage girl.”