A 30-year-old Irvine man was charged with second-degree murder Tuesday for a fatal collision in Stanton that authorities said involved DUI.
James Anthony Deleon is accused of killing 55-year-old Hoanh Thanh Ngo of Stanton on Friday night.
Deleon was driving a car that slammed head-on into a van with Ngo behind the wheel at about 11 p.m. Friday at Magnolia and Pacific avenues, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
Ngo was pronounced dead at the scene. Deleon was accused of running away from the crash and was arrested a short time later, deputies said.
Sheriff’s officials said Deleon has a prior conviction for driving under the influence, which allows prosecutors to upgrade charges from voluntary manslaughter to second-degree murder.