Irvine, CA – A second victim has succumbed to her injuries sustained in the hit-and-run vehicle collision Wednesday night. At approximately 2:20 p.m. this afternoon, June 14, 2015, the 2-year-old female victim passed away in the hospital. The victim’s 7-year-old brother and 28-year-old mother remain hospitalized, but are now in stable condition.
The suspect, 20-year-old Alec Scott Abraham of Costa Mesa, is in custody on $1 million bail. He is being held on charges of felony gross vehicular manslaughter and felony hit and run and is expected to be formally charged and arraigned tomorrow.
Based on witness statements, the Irvine Police Department (IPD) is investigating the possibility of street racing in this case. One additional vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed was observed at the scene and is described as a dark-colored, lowered coupe or sedan, possibly a Ford Mustang. The vehicle was last seen heading westbound on Alton Parkway away from the scene of the crash.
Anyone with information regarding the possible street racing or identity of the second vehicle’s occupant(s) is asked to call IPD Detective Jonathan Cherney at 949-724-7024.
Previously-Released Information
At approximately 9:00 p.m. on June 10, 2015, Abraham caused a three-vehicle traffic collision at the intersection of Alton Parkway at Barranca Parkway.
A 54-year-old victim, Katherine Hampton, was driving a white Chevy Cruze with her adult daughter, 2-year-old granddaughter, and 7-year-old grandson in the vehicle. Katherine Hampton succumbed to her injuries sustained in the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The second adult victim and both children were transported to area hospitals by the Orange County Fire Authority.
In a second vehicle, a black Honda Civic, a 44-year-old woman was the sole occupant and was transported to an area hospital for her injuries. She has since been released.
Abraham was driving a black Ford Mustang and fled the scene on foot. IPD officers and an Irvine K-9 searched the area for the suspect with helicopter assistance from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) and California Highway Patrol. OCSD also assisted with two bloodhounds, and the Tustin Police Department assisted with a K-9. He was located and arrested by IPD at approximately 1:00 p.m. on June 11, 2015, in a Costa Mesa park.
Detectives are working to determine how the suspect made it to the park where he was located.
The investigation is ongoing.