A driver arrested on suspicion of DUI after a crash in Long Beach that killed a toddler and injured two other people was charged Wednesday with murder.
Lamont Ivan Russell, 55, is expected to be arraigned on the murder charge and other counts Wednesday afternoon in Long Beach in connection with the crash Monday at about midday near Maine Avenue and West Fifth Street.
Russell also was charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage causing injury, driving with a 0.8% blood-alcohol content causing injury and driving under the influence of alcohol and a drug causing injury, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
Three people — a woman, young girl and 20-month-old girl — were sitting on the stairs of a building on Maine Avenue when they were struck by the car attempting to reverse, the Long Beach Police Department said.
Two officers took the girl to a hospital in their patrol vehicle. One officer drove and the other provided emergency medical care, according to Lt. John Hotchkiss with Long Beach police.
Despite the efforts by the officers, the 20-month-old child was later declared dead at the hospital.
A witness said she saw one of the victims pinned up against the wall by a white vehicle while another victim was lying on the ground.
Witnesses said the victims often sit on the front porch of their home. Video from the crash scene showed a woman crying on the ground while being consoled by other people.
The woman and another girl who were struck by the car were taken to a separate hospital to be treated for their injures. They were recovering, police said.
The driver stayed at the scene and The 55-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of felony vehicular manslaughter, felony DUI, and misdemeanor battery. Bail was set at $335,000.