A man suspected of driving a speeding vehicle that crashed into a fully occupied Uber, killing three passengers, in the Westmont area of Los Angeles earlier this month was on probation for murder at the time of the crash, officials said Wednesday.
The driver who allegedly ran a red light and T-boned the Uber while traveling at a speed near 90 mph has been identified as Gregory Black, 31.
He is a known gang member and has three felony convictions, including one for murder, Los Angeles police Detective Ryan Moreno detailed.
Black was driving a white Mercedes-Benz and apparently ran a red light before hitting the dark-colored Uber vehicle that was transporting four passengers. The impact was so strong, the Uber vehicle spun around five times.
Three of the passengers, including two who were sisters, were killed in the crash.
The three women were identified as Juvelyn Arroyo, 23, Veronica Amezola, 23, and Kimberly Izquierdo, 27.
A GoFundMe has been established to help cover funeral expenses for the two sisters, as well as a separate one for Arroyo.
The Uber driver and the fourth passenger were hospitalized in stable condition after the crash.
Speed was a major factor in the crash and Black had apparently failed to stop at several red lights before the collision, police said. Investigators believe he may have been trying to flee from something.
Black faces vehicular manslaughter charges and up to 75 years to life in prison.