DUI Suspect Charged With Manslaughter

An alleged drunken driver accused of causing a head-on crash that killed another motorist and slightly injured his own child was charged today with gross vehicular manslaughter and other counts.

Andre Elgin Williams, 41, was arrested Thursday following the collision on Old Elsinore Road near Perris that killed 62-year-old Jose Hernandez of Perris.

Williams was slated to make his initial court appearance this afternoon to enter a plea to the manslaughter count, as well as charges of child endangerment and driving on a suspended license. He's being held without bail at the Robert Presley Jail in Riverside.

According to the California Highway Patrol, Williams was heading southbound on Old Elsinore Road, near Michael Road, around 1:15 p.m. Thursday when his 2004 Dodge Ram pickup truck went across the double yellow lines into the opposing traffic lane.

Williams had his young son with him, strapped into a child safety seat in the back of the truck, said CHP Officer Travis Monks.

After the Dodge crossed into the northbound lane, it plowed head-on into Hernandez's 1997 GMC pickup, triggering a fire on the roadway and leaving the mortally injured Hernandez trapped inside his vehicle, Monks said.

Fire crews who arrived moments later extinguished the flames and extricated Hernandez, who was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.

Williams was treated for moderate injuries, and his son for minor injuries, at Riverside County Regional Medical Center in Moreno Valley. Williams was taken into custody at the hospital and later booked into jail, according to the CHP.

His son was placed in the care of family members. --City News Service