An illegal immigrant was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving after fleeing from a freeway crash that killed his 9-year-old son

Kristina Davis:

A father was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving early yesterday after fleeing from a freeway crash that killed his 9-year-old son, who was asleep in the front seat.

Alex Muñoz, a third grader at Linda Vista Elementary, died on impact in the 1:30 a.m. crash, authorities said.

The boy's father, Marcos Muñoz Sanchez, 33, was driving the boy home west on Interstate 8 near Texas Street when he slammed into the back of a pickup parked on the shoulder, said the California Highway Patrol.

Muñoz Sanchez, who is in the country illegally and is not a licensed driver, got out and ran, leaving his son in the truck.

“He called his wife after to make sure she went to get Alex,” said Erika Herrera, a family member. “He thought the kid was still sleeping in there. He didn't know he was dead.”
The father's brother, who was also drinking, picked him up in a nearby parking lot and took him home, where police were waiting.

Muñoz Sanchez was booked into jail on several felonies that included driving under the influence, vehicular manslaughter and hit and run. His bond was set at $300,000.

He suffered minor injuries from the crash.

The brother who picked him up was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor drunken driving.

In front of the family's Linda Vista apartment later yesterday, family members and neighbors offered support to Alex's mother, Josephina Herrera.

“She thinks it was an accident. She believes he is a great dad,” said Erika Herrera. “But she doesn't understand why he left his kid in the car. She is really hurt by that.”

Hat tip to Eric Hilf for emailing me this news story.