A Santa Clara County prosecutor charged a 38-year-old Apple employee with murder Tuesday in the fiery Cupertino crash that killed 2-year-old Riley Howard of San Jose just north of Apple Park, ABC7 News reported.
Eric Chen Su appeared in a Palo Alto courtroom and was charged with murder and assault with a deadly weapon. He entered no plea. His next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 30. ABC7, citing Deputy District Attorney Rob Baker, said Su appeared in a wheelchair but was otherwise uninjured. “Unquestionably, murder was the appropriate charge,” Baker told the station. “The speedometer in his vehicle appeared to have been frozen at 100 at the time of the collision.” Prosecutors said that was four times the posted speed limit near the crash site.
CBS News Bay Area, citing a Santa Clara County sheriff’s deputy’s report, said the crash happened shortly after noon Friday at North Tantau and Pruneridge avenues, between a Chevrolet Trax and a Toyota Camry. Deputies found a woman and a child with serious injuries in the Trax. The child, a 2-year-old girl who the report said was properly restrained, later died at a hospital. The woman, later identified as her babysitter, survived with head and spinal injuries, CBS reported. The Camry driver had minor injuries.
The deputy’s statement said the Camry had been traveling at speeds over 90 mph, did not brake before impact, and that the speedometer was stuck at 100 mph after the crash, CBS reported. Su was first arrested on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter, then charged Tuesday with murder and assault with a deadly weapon. The complaint also alleges he personally inflicted great bodily injury and that the victim was particularly vulnerable, CBS said. The report said there were no signs of drug or alcohol impairment, but that family statements indicated a history of mental health concerns.
The intersection is just north of Apple Park Way. The deputy’s statement said Su is an Apple employee who reasonably would have known that Tantau Avenue at noon on a weekday is busy with cars, bicycles and pedestrians, and that he drove northbound “at a reckless, excessive speed that a reasonable person would know is careless, reckless, and without due regard for the safety of others.” Witnesses told ABC7 that bystanders pulled Riley and the driver from the burning car. A memorial has been set up at the crash site.
Apple, in a statement to MacRumors, said, “Our hearts are broken by the tragic accident that happened outside of Apple Park Visitor Center. Our thoughts are with all of those grieving, and we are grateful for the care and support of the first responders.” The company did not say whether Su had been placed on leave or terminated. Anyone with information was asked to contact the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office at 408-868-6637.