3 Children Hurt; Suspect Charged With Attempted Murder
SANTA ANA, Calif. (May 31, 2022) – Jason Carlos Guzman, 26, of Valencia, is facing attempted murder and other charges following a hit-and-run pedestrian collision near Taft Elementary School in Santa Ana.
His arraignment is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 2nd in Dept. C5, Central Justice Center, 700 W. Civic Center Drive.
Jason Guzman is charged with seven counts each of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. Also, the D.A. press release says he faces three counts of failing to stop following a hit-and-run crash involving injuries. Other felony charges include three counts of child abuse and endangerment, and one count each of possession of a destructive device, flammable material, and reckless or malicious possession of a destructive device or explosive in a public place.
Police also charged Jason Guzman with misdemeanor counts of brandishing a weapon and hit and run with property damage. The Valencia man also faces sentencing enhancements for
attempted premeditated murder. The young man faces up to 56 years to life in prison if convicted at trial, authorities said. Apparently, Guzman has a previous 2017 conviction for felony assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury.
Pedestrian Collision Near Taft Elementary
The 26-year-old Valencia man allegedly drove up onto a Santa Ana sidewalk near Taft Elementary School and hit three children walking to the school.
Prior to the collision, Guzman attempted to use a bathroom at Taft Elementary School at 500 Keller Avenue, according to the Santa Ana Unified School District. School officials asked him if he was a parent to which he answered no he wasn’t. The school denied his entry, but he pushed his way through the gate. That’s when the principal and other staffers surrounded him and told him to leave the campus.
He reportedly got into a Mazda Protégé SUV in the school’s parking lot, struck a barrier and then drove off. About three or four blocks from the campus he veered up onto the sidewalk and hit three girls, ages 11, 9 and 6. None of them were seriously hurt, however, the youngest child “flew into the air after being hit by the vehicle.” authorities said. However, Guzman went on to also hit a woman and her 11-year-old daughter.
“The actions of a single individual have resulted in undue trauma to the victims he hit as well as countless children, parents, and school staff,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer.
A mother witnessed the crash and confronted the defendant. The suspect allegedly waved a knife at the woman, the district attorney said.
Next, Guzman reportedly stabbed himself in his stomach at the scene. Paramedics transported him to an area hospital.
Meanwhile, the Orange County sheriff’s bomb squad personnel found several containers with flammable liquid in his vehicle.
Johnson Attorneys Group does not represent any of the parties mentioned above. Furthermore, Johnson Attorneys Group has no intention to represent any of the parties discussed. We hope this information is timely and helpful. However, if you would like to contribute any information or have legal questions, please contact us as soon as possible. Our law firm is a proud, longtime supporter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
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