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On Saturday, February 1, 2025, at approximately 3:57 a.m. hours, the Tustin Police Department and Orange County Fire Authority responded to Nisson Road and Del Amo Avenue regarding a person down in the roadway.
Officers arrived and located a 19-year-old male resident of Santa Ana (later identified as Imanol “Manny” Salvador Gonzalez with major trauma.
The Orange County Fire Authority pronounced the male deceased at the scene. There was vehicle debris in the roadway near the pedestrian, indicating a hit-and-run traffic collision had possibly occurred.
During the investigation, a black 2021 Chevrolet Silverado crew cab pick-up truck was identified as the suspect vehicle. The registered owner of the vehicle, later identified as 40-year-old Carlos Coronel of Buena Park, was arrested and booked into the Orange County Jail.
Coronel is a 40-year-old sergeant with the Los Angeles Police Department. This is the second fatal hit and run DUI by an LAPD officer in the past two months.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Coronel was arrested just hours after the fatal collision with Gonzalez, when he still showed up for his job at LAPD’s Newton Division.
Coronel appeared in court on Tuesday for a probation violation stemming from a orevious 2011 DUI arrest. Coronel was sentenced to 30 days in jail for failing to pay fines and do community service in connection with the 2011 DUI case, though the judge gave him credit for some time already served.
LAPD officials told KTLA that “The Los Angeles Police Department is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and accountability. We do not tolerate misconduct of any kind, and any violations of department policies or the public trust are taken seriously. All allegations of officer misconduct are thoroughly investigated, and appropriate action is taken to ensure accountability. Our commitment is to serve and protect the community with fairness, respect, and transparency.”
This investigation is ongoing and anyone with additional information regarding this incident should contact Officer Yuhas at (714) 573-3165.
A GoFundMe page has been set up by a friend of the victim’s mom, Ariana Salvador. The goal is to raise money to help with funeral expenses. So far they have raised a bit over $800.
The OCDA has not filed charges yet against Coronel.
In California, the penalties for a fatal DUI collision, especially after a previous DUI conviction, are severe:
- Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated: If a DUI results in death, you could be charged with vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. This can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the circumstances. A felony conviction can lead to imprisonment in state prison for up to ten years.
- DUI Causing Injury: If the DUI causes injury, you could face imprisonment in county jail for up to one year or in state prison for up to three years, along with fines ranging from $390 to $5,000.
- Prior Convictions: Having a prior DUI conviction can significantly increase the penalties. For instance, a second DUI offense can result in 96 hours to one year in county jail, fines, and a two-year license suspension.
- Enhanced Penalties: If the DUI results in great bodily injury or death, the penalties are even more severe. You could face enhanced penalties, including longer prison sentences and higher fines.
- Additional Consequences: Beyond legal penalties, you may face financial consequences such as restitution to the victims’ families, increased insurance premiums, and potential civil lawsuits.
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