LAPD Officer Charged With Murder In Crash That Killed 3

LOS ANGELES, CA — A Los Angeles Police Department officer is expected to be arraigned Friday on charges of murder and vehicular manslaughter in connection with a crash last September that killed three people, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced.

Edgar Verduzco, 27, was charged with three counts each of murder and vehicular manslaughter, and one count each of driving under the influence and driving with a .08 percent blood alcohol content causing injury, the DA's office said. The case was filed for warrant on April 18.

Verduzco is expected to be arraigned Friday in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center. Deputy District Attorney Kaveh Faturechi of the Justice System Integrity Division is prosecuting the case.

On Sept. 26, 2017, Verduzco is accused of driving at a high rate of speed on the San Gabriel River (605) Freeway and striking two vehicles. One of the cars hit a center divider and burst into flames, killing Mario Davila, 60, Maribel Davila, 52, and their 19-year-old son, Oscar Davila. The occupants in the other vehicle suffered minor injuries.

If convicted as charged, Verduzco faces a possible maximum sentence of life in prison.

The case remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.

City News Service; Photo: Shutterstock