Suspect Charged In Drug-Fueled Crash That Killed Orange County Man

WESTMINSTER, CA — A 29-year-old man was charged Tuesday with murder and other offenses in a drug-fueled crash in Westminster that killed one man and left another victim with life-threatening injuries.

Fred Harper Jr. was charged with second-degree murder, driving under the influence of drugs causing bodily injury, hit and run with permanent injury or death, hit and run with injury, all felonies, and a misdemeanor count of petty theft.

He also faces sentencing enhancements for great bodily injury to the victims.

Harper is accused of killing 64-year-old Eduardo Hernandez of Stanton in the crash on Friday. A 54-year-old passenger was rushed to an area hospital in critical condition.

According to the Orange County Sheriff's Department, deputies tried to pull over the driver of a black Camaro at about 10 a.m. Friday on northbound Newland Street near Westminster Avenue. It was unclear what prompted the attempted stop.

The driver failed to stop for deputies, instead running a red light at Trask Avenue, slamming into an eastbound black BMW, sheriff's officials said.

The suspect driving the Camaro fled the crash scene on foot, prompting a search by sheriff's deputies, with help from the Westminster and Garden Grove police departments. Harper was taken into custody a short time later, according to the sheriff's department.