A Costa Mesa man accused of fleeing a violent crash that killed a 54-year-old woman and her granddaughter in Irvine earlier this month was charged with murder Tuesday.
Alec Scott Abraham, 20, was originally charged with multiple felony counts, including two counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, in connection with the June 10 crash.
However, further investigation and “newly discovered scientific evidence and witness information” has led the Orange County District Attorney’s Office to pursue murder charges, the DA’s Office stated in a news release Tuesday.
Abraham was allegedly driving a Ford Mustang when he ran a red light and slammed into the driver’s side of a Chevy Cruze being driven by Katherine Hampton.
Hampton was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.
Three passengers in the Chevy Cruze, identified as Hampton’s daughter and two grandchildren were taken to the hospital.
Hampton’s two-year-old granddaughter, Kaydence Hampton, died at the hospital four days after the crash.
Abraham allegedly fled the scene of the crash after looking into Chevy Cruze and seeing the injured family members.
He was also accused of borrowing and then stealing a bystanders cellphone as he was running away.
Defense attorney Gary Pohlson said Abraham’s father picked him up after the crash.
Abraham was arrested at a park in Costa Mesa on June 11.
Abraham has been charged with two counts of murder and was being held on $1 million bail, according to the news release.
If convicted, Abraham faces a maximum sentence of 30 years to life in state prison.
He was scheduled to appear in court for arraignment on July 8.