Suspect in Fourth of July deaths arraigned
Thursday, Aug. 12, 1999 | 10:55 a.m.
The man charged in a Fourth of July tragedy that killed two members of a family and seriously injured a third -- a 12-year-old girl -- was to be arraigned in District Court this morning.
Antonio Aguayo, 29, is accused of 11 counts that include drunken driving, reckless driving, involuntary manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident. He is free on $650,000 bail.
Blanca Machado, 51, was killed when Aguayo's pickup jumped a curb and slammed into her and the two other victims. The first victim's daughter, Norma Machado, 24, was knocked into a parked car where an imprint of her body was left. She died several hours later.
Twelve-year-old Erika Fernandez was the only survivor of the incident that killed her grandmother and aunt as they were preparing to set off fireworks to celebrate Independence Day about 8:30 p.m.
Prosecutors blame too much speed and alcohol for the deadly incident.
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