DA won't file charges against officer in fatal La Habra crash

LA HABRA -- The Orange County District Attorney's Office will not prosecute a La Habra police officer involved in a crash that killed a La Habra couple last year, despite the California Highway Patrol's recommendation that vehicular manslaughter charges be filed.
Charles Antuna, 54, and his wife Susanne Marie Antuna, 55, died in the crash, which occurred April 5, 2009 at Euclid Street and La Habra Boulevard.
La Habra police officer Nancy Garcia was speeding with her emergency lights and sirens on to assist another officer who was chasing a fleeing parolee with a past history of shooting at police, La Habra police officials said in a written statement.
The DA's decision not to file criminal charges does not put the matter to rest, La Habra Police Chief Alan Hostetter said.
"Now that the District Attorney has made his decision regarding the filing of charges, an internal La Habra Police Department investigation and administrative review of her actions will proceed," he said.
In September, the CHP concluded that Garcia's police car went through a red light at 62 mph when it collided with the Antunas' car, fatally injuring the couple. The posted speed limit was 35 mph.
Garcia suffered non-life- threatening injuries in the crash.
Based on the investigation, the CHP recommended that vehicular manslaughter charges be filed against Garcia.
Officials from the Orange County District Attorney's Office, as well as family members of Charles and Susanne Antuna, could not be reached for comment Saturday.
Hostetter said it was the fleeing parolee who was most responsible for the deaths of Charles and Susanne Marie Antuna.
"When people such as the felon attempting to elude police choose to break the law, they oftentimes, as in this case, set in motion dangerous chains of events with potentially deadly consequences," Hostetter said. "While we are gratified that Officer Garcia will not be criminally prosecuted for understandable desire to rush to the aid of a fellow officer in danger, one cannot overstate what a terrible tragedy this was."
The chief offered his condolences to the Antunas' family, adding that the event has devastated Garcia.
"We realize this is a loss that can never be completely repaired," he said.
Family members of Charles and Susanne Marie Antuna said last year that the couple is survived by three adult children and one elementary- school-age child.