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Alleged drunk driver accused of killing 3- and 4-year-old California girls
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Alleged drunk driver accused of killing 3- and 4-year-old California girls

A San Bernardino man has been charged with murder after prosecutors say he ran a red light while driving under the influence, wrecked a vehicle and killing two small children inside the car.

On Wednesday, Alexis Jose Garcia, 28, was charged with killing his two sisters, Alinah, 3, and Neveah Flores, 4, in a violent collision Sunday night in Rialto.

He faces seven counts — two counts of murder, two counts of DUI manslaughter, one count of hit-and-run resulting in death and two counts of DUI causing injury — according to San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutors are seeking sentencing enhancements for Garcia because he was found to have a blood alcohol level of over 0.15 percent. The legal limit for drivers over 21 is 0.08%. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Nov. 27, and prosecutors have filed motions recommending no bail.

“Here we have yet another tragic DUI-related death that was completely preventable and born out of selfish and reckless behavior,” San Bernardino County Dist. Atty. Jason Anderson said in a statement. “There is absolutely no excuse for anyone to get behind the wheel while intoxicated.”

Officers with the Rialto Police Department responded to a traffic collision at Riverside and Walnut avenues on Sunday at 11 p.m. A speeding Dodge Ram ran a red light, flipped a Honda Accord and caused it to hit a tow truck, police said.

Both sisters were killed in the collision, which sent one of them flying from the car and strewn toys and clothes across the intersection.

“Those two little girls should be writing their letters to Santa,” Anderson said, “but instead their family is faced with the unthinkable task of writing their eulogies.”

The parents, identified by friends as Valencia and Marky Flores, both survived the crash and were taken to the hospital, police said.

Garcia, the driver of the Dodge, fled the scene and was found by Rialto police about a quarter-mile away, where the truck apparently disabled itself, authorities said. Garcia had a passenger inside the car at the time of the collision, who was not injured, police said.

A GoFundMe was launched to support the Flores family.

“Their father is currently undergoing surgery for a broken femur and will not be able to work until he is fully healed,” organizer Ciara Yanez wrote. “We are asking for prayers and donations to help with any medical/funeral expenses for them and their two daughters.”