Share and Follow
Inset: Edgar Banuelos (Monterey County Sheriff”s Office). Background: The rural road where Banuelos allegedly crashed his car and killed his son in Monterey County, Calif. (Google Maps).
A man from California has been arrested following a high-speed crash that resulted in a fiery accident, tragically claiming the life of his teenage son, according to state law enforcement.
Edgar Banuelos, aged 37, faces charges including second-degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and three counts of child abuse related to endangering a minor under conditions likely to cause substantial harm. This tragic incident led to the death of his 16-year-old son, Edgar Jeremiah Banuelos-Gonzalez, as reported by the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office.
The fatal crash took place on the night of April 3 on Meridian Road, just east of Revilla Drive in a remote part of Monterey County, approximately 20 miles northeast of the city of Monterey, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Formal charges against Banuelos were filed by the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office on Monday, as part of a criminal complaint.
During a court appearance on Wednesday, prosecutors disclosed additional information about the case, as reported by the Salinas-based NBC and ABC affiliate, KSBW.
“We take that extraordinarily seriously,” Monterey County Chief Assistant District Attorney Berkley Brannon said in an apparent reference to the drunk-driving allegations. “When you combine that with driving at this speed in a residential area, it constitutes murder.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty during the hearing, court records reviewed by Law&Crime show.
Law enforcement claim Banuelos was driving westbound around 8 p.m., going 100 mph in a 25 mph zone, when he lost control of his Volkswagen sedan, veered off the road, and slammed into a tree.
Upon impact, the car burst into flames, authorities said.
“The car was going so fast, it became airborne over a small hill,” Brannon added. “He had three children in the car, three of his children. And he had alcohol in his system. And one of the kids, the 16-year-old, ended up burning in the car.”
The deceased teenager’s brothers, a 14-year-old and a 7-year-old, survived the crash and were treated at a hospital in San Jose with moderate injuries, according to the highway patrol. The defendant, for his part, suffered major injuries.
“This isn’t a story about, you know, driving under the influence, even,” the prosecutor continued. “This is a story about just a willful and wanton disregard for human life. He was very close to his house. I mean, this was totally unnecessary.”
The children’s mother has responded to the tragic news with calls for forgiveness, love and understanding.
“We don’t have room for hate in our heart,” Jessica Gonzalez previously told KSBW. “Just love and peace. I ask the community to please don’t have anger toward anyone. Toward his dad. Let’s forgive.”
Now, the grieving mother is expressing consternation at the state for the severity of the charges leveled against Banuelos.
“Honestly, like it breaks my heart to see that they’re charging him with murder,” she recently told the TV station. “Honestly, Edgar has always been there for his kids.”
In another prior interview, Gonzalez remembered her deceased child fondly, telling KSBW he was an athlete with whom she shared a special bond and spent a great deal of time with.
“I want to make sure that everyone knows how grateful me and my family and my kids are,” she said. “My baby boy Edgar. Was a really, really great kid. Who always brought a smile to everyone. No matter how upset they were, he always tried to be silly.”
The defendant is detained in the Monterey County Jail on $1.4 million bail. He is next slated to appear in court on May 6.