OC Man Accused of Killing Nephew in Drunk Driving Accident Faces Arraignment

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A man who allegedly drove drunk and killed his nephew is expected to be arraigned on murder charges today, reports the OC Register.

Tapu Aniceto Sitagata, 27, was drinking at the Newport Five Cocktail Lounge in Tustin on the night of Dec. 20, 2010. He became so intoxicated that both a bartender and a police officer separately offered to call him a cab, but he refused. After reportedly waiting until the officer was nowhere in sight, Sitagata got behind the wheel of a Chevy Suburban with 20-year-old Pesa Sitagata in the backseat and his brother-in-law, 34-year-old Aron Ia, in the passenger seat, and promptly crashed his car into a tree.

Ia suffered multiple injuries, including broken legs and ribs, and a lacerated spleen and liver. The younger Sitagata died at the scene.

The elder Sitagata attempted to flee the scene but didn't get far.

If Sitagata is convicted, he faces 20 years and eight months to life in prison.

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