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DUI Suspect Faces Murder Charges

Pre-Preliminary Hearing Today in Superior Court

By G.T. Houts
Thursday, October 8, 2009

San Bernardino, CA - A pre-preliminary hearing is set for 8:30 a.m. today, October 8, in San Bernardino County Superior Court for the driver of a 1995 Saturn that was involved in a double fatality accident in February 2008.

Highland resident Ezra Abril, now 29, is suspected of driving under the influence prior to the accident that killed his two passengers after being involved in a hit-and-run accident.

San Bernardino County Superior Court (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

California Highway Patrol reports show Abril was behind the wheel of the Saturn that was involved in a hit-and-run accident on I-210. Abril's vehicle failed to stop after allegedly striking a 2005 Toyota Tundra pickup truck while trying to pass the vehicle.

CHP investigators allege Abril then took the transition road to Highway 330 heading towards Running Springs and apparently lost control of the Saturn.

Witnesses reportedly indicated to officers the vehicle spun out on the shoulder of the transition road, slid up an embankment and crashed into the bottom of the separate transition road from the westbound 330 to the eastbound 210 freeway.

The Saturn then flipped, tossed out both passengers and landed on its roof. When the first CHP unit reached the scene, the officer discovered Abril was wearing his seat belt and was hanging upside down in the vehicle.

The accident claimed the lives of 23-year-old Michael Bryan Tumbleson from Highland and 30-year-old Aaron R. Sheppard from San Bernardino.

Abril, who was hospitalized following the crash, now faces two counts of murder and a single count of hit-and-run.

San Bernardino County Superior Court records show Abril was convicted of driving under the influence in December 2002 and February 2003.