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Authorities are looking for two suspects that fled on foot after hitting and killing three 13-year old girls out trick-or-treating in Santa Ana on Friday night. Two of the victims were twin sisters.
The three girls were crossing the street at the intersection of East Fairhaven and Jacaranda Streets around 6:45 p.m. when they were struck by a Honda CRV. According to authorities, the impact of the crash threw the girls over 100 feet. All three girls, the twin sisters and their friend, were pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities tell KTLA that they do believe that speed was a factor.
"Witnesses say the vehicle was traveling at a high-rate of speed. I didn't see any skid marks, so it doesn't appear they slowed down whatsoever," Captain Anthony Bertagna of the Santa Ana Police Department told KTLA.
A witness followed the SUV to a strip mall just down the street where the suspects parked the vehicle in the lot and then fled on foot. Authorities have impounded the car and are still searching for the suspects, though no descriptions have been released by the police.
"They left these three young women laying in the street, and left without calling, without stopping, without rendering aid. It's hard to even fathom doing that," Bertagna added.
In another tragic Halloween incident from last night, a 65-year old man and a 4-year old relative were both hit by a car in Irvine while trick-or-treating. The 65-year old man was killed and the 4-year old is listed in critical condition. In that incident, the woman driving stopped her car, but City News Service reports she will likely not face criminal charges.
