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12 people struck by car while viewing holiday lights display, 1 critically injured in Los Angeles, California

Modified Date: 
Wed, 11/04/2015 - 6:19am
Accident Date: 
Monday, December 15, 2014

Drunk Driver Sentenced to 12 Years for Slamming into Crowd

A 29-year-old repeat drunken driver was sentenced Tuesday to a dozen years in state prison for causing an Alhambra collision last December that injured several bystanders looking at holiday decorations. Soto pleaded no contest to all charges in an open plea, meaning his sentence was not negotiated with the District Attorney's Office. The collision injured a group of people who were looking at holiday decorations in the vicinity of the crash site near Fremont Avenue and Poplar Boulevard, the prosecutor said. Deputy District Attorney Sonia Govea, who prosecuted the case, said that on the evening of Dec. 14, 2014, Soto drove while under the influence of alcohol and crashed his car into parked vehicles. Ismael Soto pleaded no contest in September to driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury within 10 years of two other DUI offenses; driving with a .08 percent blood alcohol content causing injury within 10 years; driving when the privilege was suspended or revoked for a DUI conviction; and driving a vehicle not equipped with an ignition interlock device when his driving privilege was restricted.

Car Hits and Injures 12 Looking at Holiday Lights

A man suspected of driving drunk struck and injured a dozen people who were parked while looking at a holiday light display in suburban Los Angeles, authorities said.

Car hits, injures 12 looking at holiday lights in Southern California

Ismael Soto of Los Angeles was arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving under the influence and driving without a valid license, Johnson said. Soto, 28, was treated at a hospital for a cut on his head. He was on probation following a DUI conviction in October 2013, Johnson said.

Police: 13 Injured By Drunk Driver While Looking At Holiday Light Display

“One minute people are enjoying, they’re laughing, they’re smiling.  The next minute they’re crying, they’re on the floor in agony,” said witness David Villalobos. “It was like a war zone.”

13 hit as they look at holiday lights; driver has DUI history, no license

Alhambra police said Sunday’s accident occurred near Fremont Avenue and Poplar Boulevard. Soto was allegedly driving a truck when he crossed over a solid yellow line into southbound lanes and collided into two parked vehicles, which were occupied, said Sgt. Joseph Mallette.

Alleged Alhambra drunken driver who hurt 13 had prior DUI violations, revoked license

A suspected drunken driver accused of injuring 13 people when he collided with two vans Sunday night did not have a valid license because of prior drunk driving violations, according to the DMV.

Driver Faces Felony DUI in Crash That Hurt Christmas Spectators

A suspected drunken driver cried in a Southern California courtroom Wednesday when he faced felony charges in a crash that hurt more than a dozen bystanders looking at Christmas decorations. 
Ismael Soto, 28, was allegedly driving drunk when he struck and injured a dozen people who had gathered to see a holiday lights display in the area of Alhambra. The people were watching the display from two parked cars when Soto struck them with his pickup truck. A 27-year-old woman was in critical condition on monday, but everyone involved is expected to survive. Soto was also allegedly driving without a valid license.
Type: Car Accident
Topics: 
DWI - DUI - Alcohol or Drug Use, Unlicensed Driver/Suspended License
People Involved: 
Ismael Soto
City: 
Alhambra, CA
County: 
Los Angeles County, CA
Area: 
Los Angeles, CA

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