Nevada – A teenage driver who was drunk driving killed five members of a Southern California family on Saturday.

Jean Soriano

The family was traveling on Interstate 15 close to 3:00 a.m., 30 miles south of Mesquite.  Soriano, only 18, slammed the back of the Chevy Astro van the family was riding in with his 1999 Dodge Durango SUV.  The 2002 Astro spun, overturned and five of the seven family members were ejected from the car.

The five people who were tragically killed have not been identified but are known to be from Los Angeles.  Four of the five killed were not wearing seat belts.  They included a father and his teenage daughter, an aunt and two uncles.  A 40 year old mother and teenage son who were also in the Astro were taken to a University Medical Center with critical injuries.  The mother, who had her seat belt on, was driving the Chevy Astro.

Nevada Highway Patrol found beer bottles on the floor of the Durango.  Soriano and his 23 year old male passenger were not harmed even though their car overturned as well.  Investigators stated that Soriano was visiting family in Utah and was on his way back to California.

Soriano was arrested for driving under the influence and taken to Clark County Detention Center.  He will be found liable for the wrongful deaths of all five members of this family.  Such a completely tragic accident.  Our hearts go out to the family and friends of those whose lives were unfairly shortened.