Sister Is Charged in Death of Toddler

A Santa Ana woman whose baby sister was killed when she slammed into a wall while speeding to a day care center was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of manslaughter.

Araceli Vega, 24, was driving about 70 in a 40 mph zone and weaving through traffic on Sunflower Avenue in Costa Mesa early Tuesday evening when her car struck a curb and rolled several times before hitting the wall, police said.

The child, 18-month-old Diana Vega, was crushed by cinderblocks that toppled onto the roof of the car, police said.

Vega was arrested at Western Medical Center-Santa Ana, where she was being treated for minor injuries. She is being held on $100,000 bail at Orange County Jail.

Police said the woman was rushing because she was running late to pick up another baby from a day care center. It was unclear whether the other child was a relative.

The woman’s driving was so reckless that investigators determined that it resulted in the child’s death, said Costa Mesa Police Lt. John FitzPatrick. Witnesses said Vega was frequently changing lanes, tailgating and using turning lanes to pass traffic, he said.

The driver apparently lost control of the vehicle after abruptly changing lanes and trying to slip ahead of a car in an adjacent lane, police said.