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Apple Employee Charged with Murder in Cupertino Crash That Killed 2-Year-Old
Eric Chen Su, 38, was charged with murder and assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly driving nearly 100 mph and rear-ending a car stopped at a red light near Apple Park, killing 2-year-old Riley Howard and injuring her babysitter.
CUPERTINO â A 38-year-old Apple employee has been charged with murder and assault with a deadly weapon after authorities say he drove nearly 100 mph and rear-ended a car stopped at a red light near Apple Park last week, killing a 2-year-old girl and seriously injuring her babysitter.
Eric Chen Su was arrested Friday following the crash at the intersection of North Tantau and Pruneridge avenues, according to the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office. The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office filed the charges Tuesday.
Prosecutors allege Su was driving his Toyota Camry at speeds approaching 100 mph in a posted 30 mph zone when he struck the car carrying Riley Howard of San Jose and her babysitter. The child died at a hospital the same day. The babysitter suffered injuries to her head and spine, authorities said.
Su sustained minor injuries and was initially arrested on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter after being released from the hospital. The charges were upgraded to murder and assault with a deadly weapon following further investigation.
The crash occurred around noon Friday in a commercial area near Apple's headquarters that is shared by cyclists and pedestrians. According to a sheriff's office statement of facts, Su had been driving over 90 mph in the 30 mph zone.
Mourners held a memorial service for Riley at the crash site over the weekend.
Su is scheduled to appear in Santa Clara County Superior Court in Palo Alto for a plea hearing on Nov. 30, according to court records.
The case has shaken the Cupertino community and raised concerns about traffic safety near the sprawling Apple campus, where employees, cyclists and pedestrians frequently share the roads. The intersection of North Tantau and Pruneridge avenues is a busy corridor bordered by commercial businesses and residential neighborhoods.
Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the charges against its employee.