Thread: Horrendous accident kills couple (illegal/DWI)

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf ... 1#continue


SUV slams home, kills sleeping couple
Neighbors chase down and restrain driver as he tries to flee from Egg Harbor crash

Saturday, December 10, 2005
BY JOHN CURRAN
Associated Press


A couple asleep in their bed were killed yesterday when a sport utility vehicle careened off a rain-slicked road in Egg Harbor Township and crashed into their home, coming to rest atop the bed.

"It's just a horrible way to die," said neighbor Corine Collins, 43.

The 1993 Chevy Blazer veered off U.S. 40 just outside Atlantic City, knocked down a speed limit sign, crossed a sidewalk and punctured the exterior wall of the one-story house about 4:30 a.m., police said.
Jose Varela, 40, and Blanca Santiago, 32, died at the scene. Their three sons, who were in a different part of the house, were unhurt.

The driver, Ober Canales, 27, tried to run away after the crash, but was restrained by two unidentified neighbors, who chased him into the street in front of the house and held him until police arrived.

Canales, who was unhurt, was arrested at the scene and charged with two counts of vehicular homicide, drunken driving, reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident and driving without a license, Atlantic County Prosecutor Jeffrey Blitz said.

"I just heard glass breaking, and my mom was screaming, and my dad was dead, said Adiel Varela, 16, the oldest son.

The highway, known locally as Black Horse Pike, is one of three feeder routes into neighboring Atlantic City and is dimly lit and known to be treacherous for pedestrians.

Canales' vehicle, which was traveling eastbound, passed through a 10-foot space between a telephone pole and a wooden picket fence that stood between the house and the sidewalk.

"When I heard that loud bang, I looked out my bathroom window and I could see the guy trying to move the car out, like he was hitting the accelerator," Collins said. "When he tried to get away, I saw the tenant (from the back of the house) wrestle him to the ground."

Lt. Ted Kammer of the Egg Harbor Township police said he didn't know whether the weather was a factor.

Canales, a Honduran national, was being held on $750,000 bail pending arraignment Monday.

The couple, who had lived together for more than 10 years, were known as doting parents to the boys, ages 16, 14 and 10. They are now staying with a godfather.

"The parents were very strict with them, right on top of them. They made sure they went to school every day. If it was a snowstorm, he would stop by (neighbors' houses) on his way to the store and see if anybody needed anything," said Collins, whose children attend the same school as the couple's boys.

"They were sleeping in bed. I can't get over that," she said. "You see it on TV. But to actually witness it, it leaves you speechless. You can't believe it."

The driver, Ober Canales, 27, tried to run away after the crash, but was restrained by two unidentified neighbors, who chased him into the street in front of the house and held him until police arrived.

I hope the neighbors both have good lawyers.

The ACLU/Maldef/La Raza/Bush Administration types aren't going to like this vigilanteism

Why the 750,00 Bail? He should be held without bail!