A WOMAN FACES murder charges in connection with two deaths in a DUI accident (Shutterstock).

A 22-year-old woman has been charged with two counts of murder for crashing into a Santa Ana family’s car, killing a husband and wife while she was driving under the influence of alcohol. The couple’s three young daughters were seriously injured. Prosecutors are alleging her blood alcohol level was more than .20% at the time of the collision.

Grace Elizabeth Coleman, 22, of Newport Beach, was charged on Thursday with two felony counts of murder, one felony count of driving under the influence of alcohol causing bodily injury, one felony count of driving with a blood alcohol of .08% or more causing bodily injury, and one felony count of hit and run with injury. Coleman has also been charged with three felony enhancements of great bodily injury for causing injuries to all three of the couple’s daughters.

Coleman has also been charged with one misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of alcohol and one misdemeanor count of driving with a blood alcohol of .08% or more in connection with an August 29, 2020 arrest in Laguna Beach.

Coleman faces a maximum sentence of 34 years and eight months to life in state prison if convicted on all charges.

Gabriela A., 28, of Santa Ana, and her husband, Henry S., 27, of Santa Ana were driving with their three daughters, ages 1, 4, and 5, near the intersection of Pelican Hill Road and Newport Coast Drive on Dec. 8, 2020. At approximately 7:46 p.m. Coleman is accused of running a red light and crashing into the family’s vehicle, killing both parents and seriously injuring their three daughters who were secured in car seats.

The couple was killed and their three daughters were seriously injured in the collision.