Irvine: Man Arrested After Crash That Left Two Dead, Injured Others

11.14.2021 | 2:12 AM | IRVINE – A man was arrested after a freeway crash that killed two people and left at least two others injured, early Sunday morning.

The incident was reported as a traffic collision involving a black 2004 GMC Yukon that rear-ended a black 2016 Honda Civic that was stopped on the southbound I-5 Freeway just north of Yale Avenue around 2:12 AM.

Units arriving on scene located the two-car crash with the Honda sedan blocking the carpool lane and the GMC on the right shoulder near a downed pedestrian.

Firefighter paramedics pronounced the downed pedestrian deceased on scene and determined that at least one victim of three other victims was trapped in the Honda.

Crews worked for about 15 minutes to free the trapped occupant and later transported them along with two other victims from the Honda to area hospitals.

One of the transported victims, later identified as 25-year-old Alive Read, of San Diego, was pronounced deceased at a hospital.

The identity of the pedestrian that was outside the vehicle when struck was not immediately released.

Initial reports indicate that the Honda, which was occupied by multiple people, was stopped on the shoulder with one person outside of the vehicle when the GMC collided with it.

The driver of the GMC, later identified as 33-year-old Jorge Erastocruz, of Lake Forest, refused medical treatment and was later placed under arrest before being booked into the Orange County Jail.

Erastocruz, who listed his occupation as “warehouse,” is being held in lieu of $1,000,000 bail and is expected to be charged with at least two counts of murder along with DUI and driving on a suspended or revoked license, according to records.

Orange County court records indicate Erastrocruz has at least two prior convictions for DUI and was on probation related to a prior DUI conviction at the time of the crash. He also has prior convictions for hit and run and driving without a license.

Officers are continuing to investigate the circumstances that led up to the fatal crash but anyone with information is urged to contact the California Highway Patrol’s Santa Ana Office by calling (714) 567-6000.

Anonymous tips can be submitted through the Orange County Crime Stoppers by calling (855) TIP-OCCS or by visiting their website at www.occrimestoppers.org.

Miles Madison

Miles started reporting breaking news in 2015 and has been providing high-quality news video and timely reports from the Orange County area ever since. Combining his experience as a seasoned photojournalist, radio operator and sleuth, Miles provides unrivaled multimedia news reports.