Los Angeles — A former Los Angeles police officer entered a guilty plea to three counts of murder following a 2017 car crash where he was driving under the influence, leading to the deaths of three family members, the district attorney announced. Edgar Verduzco, 34, also admitted to additional charges of driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury and driving with a 0.08% blood-alcohol level causing injury. Verduzco is set to face a substantial period in prison, with the sentencing guidelines suggesting three concurrent 15-years-to-life terms, plus a concurrent three-year term.
This tragic event unfolded when Verduzco, who was off duty at the time, allegedly drove his Chevrolet Camaro at a speed of 150 mph into the rear of a Nissan on the 605 Freeway in Whittier, causing the Nissan to burst into flames. The collision claimed the lives of Mario Davila, 60, Maribel Davila, 52, and their 19-year-old son Oscar Davila. Shortly after the initial impact, Verduzco’s vehicle collided with a second car, resulting in injuries to the driver, a mother, and her baby who was in a car seat.
In an alarming detail, it was reported that just hours before the crash, Verduzco had posted a video on Instagram from a bar captioned “#dontdrinkanddrive.” This post now serves as a haunting reminder of the consequences of drinking and driving, highlighting a severe lapse in judgment.
The legal proceedings took a turn in 2019 when Verduzco, still an active officer at that time, pleaded not guilty to the charges. However, he was subsequently relieved of his duties by the Los Angeles Police Department. The change in plea to guilty marks a significant development in this high-profile case, which has drawn attention to issues of law enforcement conduct and the dangers of impaired driving.
District Attorney Nathan Hochman expressed his condemnation of the former officer’s actions, emphasizing the responsibility held by law enforcement to protect life, not endanger it. “As a police officer, Mr. Verduzco should have been acutely aware of the dangers of driving at such reckless speeds, especially under the influence,” Hochman said.
The case also spotlights the life of young Oscar Davila, a student at the University of California, Riverside, whose potential was tragically cut short. The district attorney extended his sympathies to the Davila family, acknowledging the irreplaceable loss of their loved ones and the impact on Oscar’s four surviving siblings.
The sentencing for Verduzco is scheduled for July 11 at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in downtown Los Angeles. This case serves as a somber reminder of the fatal consequences that can result from impaired driving and the community’s expectation for accountability, especially from its protectors.
As the sentencing date approaches, the community and the victims’ family await closure in a case that has highlighted significant concerns regarding police conduct and the broader implications of driving under the influence. The outcome of this sentencing may also influence future handling of similar cases involving law enforcement officers.