KTLA

Surveillance video shows violent DUI crash that killed 3 in Pomona

Jas Kang

New surveillance video shows the violent crash that claimed the lives of three women in Pomona.

The video obtained by KTLA shows the DUI suspect — 36-year-old Victor Siharath — running a red light in his SUV and striking the vehicle with five occupants in it.

The crash killed three women, 33-year-old Yesenia Olaez, her sister-in-law 33-year-old Alejandra Olaez, and the driver of the vehicle, Lorena Morales.

The other two passengers in their vehicle were  Juan Manuel “Jaime” Garcia, Morales’ husband, and 12-year-old Naomi Olaez, Alejandra’s daughter. Both are expected to survive. The group of five was returning home from a baby shower when they were struck by Siharath.

Surveillance video shows the victims’ vehicle enter the intersection when alleged DUI driver Victor Siharath runs a red light. (KTLA)
Surveillance video shows the victims’ vehicle enter the intersection when alleged DUI driver Victor Siharath runs a red light. (KTLA)
33-year-old Yesenia Olaez was one of three killed in a violent DUI crash in Pomona. March 3, 2024 (KTLA)
A memorial was set up to honor the intersections at the intersection of where the incident occurred on Mar. 3, 2024 (KTLA)
Mourners light candles to honor the three victims in a deadly DUI crash in Pomona on Mar. 3, 2024. (KTLA)
Three women were killed and another three victims were injured after a violent crash in Pomona involving a driver under the influence on Mar. 2, 2024. (KeyNewsTV)
Three women were killed and another three victims were injured after a violent crash in Pomona involving a driver under the influence on Mar. 2, 2024. (KeyNewsTV)
Three women were killed and another three victims were injured after a violent crash in Pomona involving a driver under the influence on Mar. 2, 2024. (KeyNewsTV)
Three women were killed and another three victims were injured after a violent crash in Pomona involving a driver under the influence on Mar. 2, 2024. (KeyNewsTV)
33-year-old Yesenia Olaez passed away in the crash. A memorial was set up to honor the intersections at the intersection of where the incident occurred on Mar. 3, 2024 (KTLA)
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Bianca Gonzalez lost her sister, Yesenia, and sister-in-law Alejandra in the crash.

“All the family is heartbroken, it’s a double loss tragedy right here,” Gonzalez said to KTLA 5’s Carlos Saucedo. “Everybody is not okay right now.”

Gonzalez’s sister, Yesenia, worked as a dental assistant and was in the process of adopting her 11-year-old nephew.

“There’s nothing more I could say in regards to her,” Gonzalez said about her sister. “She was the best sister… and the best person in our family.”

The crash occurred just before 11 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of White Avenue and Phillips Boulevard. Authorities say Victor Siharath, 36, of Pomona was driving the other vehicle and was under the influence at the time of the accident.

“Officers made contact with Siharath…and determined he was driving while impaired,” authorities said.

Video obtained by KTLA shows Siharath taking a sobriety test on the sidewalk just feet from the crash site.  

Siharath was transported to a nearby hospital before being arrested for felony driving under the influence. He is scheduled to be in court on Tuesday in Pomona.

Gonzalez is hopeful that Siharath will face the maximum allowed sentence if convicted.

“I really want full justice for my sister. And not only her, for her sister-in-law,” Gonzalez said. “It’s two lives that we lost here.”

A GoFundMe has been started in memory of Yesenia.