Driver in Lodi crash that killed family may have been drinking

Lodi police said they plan to pursue criminal charges against the driver involved in a deadly crash last week that killed a family of five and an unborn baby.

Police said Ryan Morales, 28, caused the Oct. 22 crash that killed several family members, including three children, ages 12, 6 and 5, their father and a woman who was seven months pregnant.

“I want to begin by making it clear this horrific event was not an accident,� Chief Mark Helms said at a media briefing. “In my view, this was the heinous act of one person that resulted in six senseless deaths, including an unborn child, and critical injuries to a 9-year-old boy who has been fighting for his life.�

The boy was the sole survivor of one of the cars involved in the crash.

Morales is in the hospital with injuries. Helms said he hasn’t been arrested yet because of his condition, and that it’s unlikely he will be released from the hospital any time soon.

Investigators believe Morales had been drinking before getting behind the wheel, though test results are still pending.

The Record newspaper in Stockton reported that Morales was found pinned in the front seat of his Yukon and smelled of alcohol. The newspaper said that Morales is believed to have consumed a 750-milliliter bottled of apple-flavored vodka with his father before getting behind the wheel.

Morales could face second-degree murder charges if prosecutors believe he was acting with “a complete disregard for human life,� the newspaper reported.

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