Murder charges filed against Norwalk man for fatal DUI crash

NORWALK - One of two suspected drunken drivers was charged Wednesday with two counts of murder and other charges for his alleged involvement in a two-car crash early Sunday morning that killed two construction workers on the 405 Freeway, the district attorney's office announced.Yocio Jonathan Gomez, 23, of Norwalk, was scheduled to be arraigned at Torrance Superior Court, said Deputy District Attorney Lisa Houle. Gomez is charged with two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, one count of DUI causing injury, one count of DUI over .08 percent alcohol causing injury with two priors. Prosecutors will ask bail be set at $5 million. About 3:30 a.m. Sunday, Gomez allegedly was driving a blue Ford Explorer that crashed into the rear of a black Lexus RX-350 driven by Stephan Christopher Caserta, officials said. The sport utility vehicle spun out of control, striking and killing Romano Lopez and Ricardo Zamora. A third worker was injured. The Ford Explorer overturned on its roof. Officials arrested both drivers on suspicion of driving under the influence. Caserta was later released on bail and is due in court Aug. 10. His case will be reviewed later for possible filing, prosecutors said. Gomez is facing up to life in prison if convicted.

********** Published: July 26, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 15