Santa Ana (CBSLA) – A 22-year-old woman was charged with two counts of murder on Thursday in connection with an accident that killed her husband and wife and injured their three young daughters. (Credit: Laguna Beach Police Department) Grace Elizabeth Coleman of Newport Beach was arrested via livestream Thursday afternoon. He is still hospitalized for injuries sustained during the crash. Police say Coleman was driving under the influence when a Range Rover collided with a family of five on Newport Coast Drive at 7:45pm on Tuesday. Henry Eduardo Saldana-Mejia, 27, and his wife, 29-year-old Gabriel Andrade, were pronounced dead at the scene. The couple’s young daughters – ages 1, 4, and 5 – were secured in car seats, but were still seriously injured in the crash, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office said. “Three young women are orphans due to the selfish decision of a stranger,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in a statement. “Kids don’t have to grow up without parents because someone can make the wrong decision and get behind the wheel of intoxication.” The couple’s family said they were on their way to pick up Saldana’s last salary at a nearby Pelican Hill resort. A small memorial has been erected for Henry Eduardo Saldana-Mejia and his wife Gabriela Andrade of Santa Ana. DUI driver 22yo Grace Coleman, who is suspected to have killed both of them and injured their 3 children in a Newport beach crash on Tuesday night. CBSLA @ KCPSKLDSK .08% or more of blood alcohol causes physical injury, and the number of injuries and hits and runs – all betrayals. He faces three worse developments of major physical injury to the injuries suffered by the couple’s three daughters. Coleman was falsely accused of driving under the influence of alcohol after his arrest at Laguna Beach on August 29. Coleman, who was admitted to hospital after the crash, did not drive under a prohibited or suspended license because prosecutors did not file a false charge against him at the time of the crash on Tuesday. The district attorney’s office said several misdemeanor cases have been put on hold amid the outbreak. According to the criminal complaint, Coleman ran a red light before the crash. Police said he was arrested after he tried to leave the scene on foot. Coleman had a blood alcohol concentration of more than .20, and the criminal complaint stated that he initially submitted to a breath and urine test after being denied a police officer’s request. A judge on Thursday revoked Coleman’s bail. If convicted, Coleman faces a maximum of 34 years and up to eight months in prison.
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