August 27, 2024: District Attorney Gascón Announces Murder Charges Against Man in DUI Crash That Killed Mother, Daughter in Temple City

Diego Santoscruz is charged with murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and driving under the influence after crashing head-on into a family's vehicle in Temple City, killing a mother and daughter

TEMPLE CITY, CA - Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced today that Diego Santoscruz has been charged with murdering a mother and her 10-year-old daughter after allegedly crashing into the victims' vehicle head-on while driving under the influence of alcohol in Temple City.

"Our community is devastated by the senseless loss of Jennifer Argueta and her daughter, Sabrina Argueta," said District Attorney Gascón. "This tragedy serves as a stark and heartbreaking reminder of the severe consequences that come with driving under the influence. Our office is committed to ensuring that the individual responsible for this horrific incident is held fully accountable for their actions. Our Bureau of Victim Services remains ready to assist the victims and their families during this unimaginably difficult time."

Diego Santoscruz (dob 11/13/96) is charged in case 24AHCF00365 with two counts of murder; two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated; and two counts of driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage causing injury.

On August 17, at approximately 1:04 p.m., Santoscruz was allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol when he struck the victims' vehicle head-on near the intersection of Temple City Boulevard and Gidley Street in the city of Temple City. Jennifer Argueta and her 10-year-old daughter, Sabrina Argueta, who were passengers in the victims' vehicle, were killed in the crash. The child's father, who was driving the victims' car, was injured. A fourth victim, a passenger in Santoscruz's car, also was injured.

Arraignment is scheduled for September 24 in Dept. 2 of the Alhambra Courthouse. The People are recommending that Santoscruz be held on $4,255,000 bail.

If convicted as charged, Santoscruz faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

The case is being investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.