The driver in the fatal weekend crash in Pasadena that killed him and two others had a suspended license and was charged with driving under the influence about two months ago.
Three other passengers suffered injuries in the solo crash, which happened shortly after 2:35 a.m. on May 11.
The unrelated DUI case against Moheb Samuel, 22, of Pasadena stems from a Sept. 23, 2023 arrest by the California Highway Patrol. Booking records show officers arrested Samuel at 3:14 a.m., booked him at the Pasadena Police Department and later cited him.
Lisa Derderian, spokeswoman for the city of Pasadena, said it happened on the 210 Freeway but she didn’t have details.
On March 21, the Pasadena City Attorney’s Office charged him with misdemeanor DUI and misdemeanor driving with .08 percent blood alcohol content, court records show.
Samuel didn’t show up for his March 27 arraignment at Pasadena Superior Court and the court issued a bench warrant for him, Derderian said.
His license is currently suspended, according to the DMV but the agency wouldn’t say when it suspended Samuel’s license and what for.
There was evidence of alcohol at the scene of the May 11 crash, but police don’t know yet if anyone in the Tesla Model 3 sedan was under the influence, Pasadena Police Lt. Anthony Russo said.
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The Tesla was heading west on Foothill Boulevard at over 100 mph and ran a red light on Sierra Madre Boulevard. Russo said. The driver failed to negotiate the curve and struck a curb on Foothill Boulevard, east of Vista Avenue.
The car went airborne, hit a street light, a power pole, a building and a second street light.
Samuel, Stefan Pfeiffer, 20, of Pasadena, who was sitting in the back, and the 22-year-old man sitting in the front passenger seat died at the scene.
Three other rear passengers were hurt; a 17-year-old Pasadena girl who media reports say is Samuel’s sister, Bella Ramirez, 18, of Monrovia and Emerson Newquist, 20, of Pasadena.
Two of the injured are seniors at Maranatha High School in Pasadena while one of those killed was a former student, according to a statement from the private Christian College Preparatory school.
“We mourn this immense loss and extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of all those affected. During this difficult time, we turn to our faith in Christ Jesus for comfort and strength and ask others to join us in praying for all who are suffering due to this tragedy,” the statement said.
