Man accused in fatal DUI faces 2 felonies

A scheduled arraignment for a Costa Mesa man accused in a drunk-driving accident that killed his brother and injured his nephew was pushed back to March 29, according to court records.

Felix Brito, 37, who appeared in Orange County Superior Court Wednesday, faces one felony count of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated without gross negligence, one felony count of driving under the influence and causing bodily injury, and one misdemeanor count of driving without a valid license, according to the Orange County district attorney’s office.

Brito was allegedly behind the wheel of a Toyota pickup that traveled down Fairview Street in Santa Ana about 12:30 a.m. Monday, according to the D.A.

At some point, the truck veered to the right when approaching another vehicle traveling lawfully on the road, crossed a curb and hit a light pole and palm tree before driving through a chain-link fence, according to the D.A.’s office.

The truck landed on its passenger side in a flood control channel.

Felipe Brito, 47, died at the scene. John Andrade, 27, was taken to UC Irvine Medical Center in Orange with several broken ribs, according to prosecutors.

“At the hospital, Brito is accused of displaying objective signs of alcohol intoxication, including emitting an odor of alcohol and bloodshot, watery eyes,” according to a news release from prosecutors.

If convicted, the driver faces a maximum sentence of seven years in state prison.

— Lauren Williams

Twitter: @lawilliams30