Carlos Coronel Charged For Fatal Tustin DUI Accident

Los Angeles Police Department Sergeant Carlos Coronel Charged for Fatal DUI Pedestrian Accident in Tustin 

Carrillo

TUSTIN, CALIFORNIA (February 4, 2025) – An LAPD sergeant identified as Carlos Coronel was charged with killing a pedestrian in a hit-and-run DUI car accident in Tustin. 

The defendant was arrested in Orange County over the weekend following the allegations. Authorities arrested Carlos Coronel on suspicion of fleeing the scene of a fatal pedestrian accident while intoxicated.

The accident took place around 3:58 a.m. on Saturday near the intersection of Nisson Road and Del Amo Avenue. Carlos Coronel was later booked into jail on Saturday night.

This is the second time in less than two months that an LAPD officer has been arrested on suspicion of causing a fatal accident while intoxicated. A full investigation into the incident remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Orange County DUI Collisions

Driver intoxication remains one of the leading causes of car accidents in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “Every day, about 37 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes — that’s one person every 39 minutes. In 2022, 13,524 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths.” There are a number of ways that alcohol can substantially impair a person’s ability to operate their vehicle safely.

  • Alcohol reduces a person’s ability to stay in their own traffic lane.
  • Alcohol substantially reduces a driver’s reaction time.
  • Alcohol distorts a person’s ability to evaluate how safely they are driving.
  • Alcohol can impair a person’s ability to stay alert for potential hazards in the roadway.

It is illegal for any person to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 23152, no person shall operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or more. Commercial drivers are held to an even stricter standard and must not have a BAC of 0.04% or higher. If a driver hits a pedestrian while intoxicated, this could form the basis of a civil claim.

Depending on the facts of any case, a police department could be liable for a car accident involving one of their officers. Generally speaking, employers are liable for the wrongful actions of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. It is important that evidence is properly preserved after any pedestrian collision.

  • Surveillance footage of the accident should be sought.
  • Medical records related to the incident should be preserved.
  • Eyewitnesses should be interviewed.
  • Photos of the accident site should be taken.

Law enforcement can be an incredibly stressful line of work. It is not uncommon for many police officers to have problems with substance abuse. According to one study in the American Journal on Addictions, “In a large sample of urban police officers, 18.1% of males and 15.9% of females reported experiencing adverse consequences from alcohol use and 7.8 % of the sample met criteria for lifetime alcohol abuse or dependence.” The family of any person who is killed in a DUI car accident may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a wrongful death claim.

Investigating Orange County DUI Collisions

We at the Carrillo Law Firm, LLP extend our deepest condolences to the family of the pedestrian who died in this collision. The allegations against LAPD sergeant Carlos Coronel are deeply concerning. Any person with more information about what happened should reach out to the police.

Do you need more information about an Orange County DUI car accident? Our team of civil rights advocates is here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of the rights and the drunk drivers are held to account for their misconduct. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to our office anytime at 626-799-9375.

Author

MICHAEL S. CARRILLO, Partner

Michael works on high-profile cases that have garnered national media attention. His practice today focuses on child sexual abuse cases, police misconduct cases, catastrophic injuries and other wrongful death matters. He is a passionate advocate for his clients including the countless child sexual abuse victims he currently represents.