A Corona man accused of killing three teenagers by running them off the road in a fatal crash could face the death penalty.
Anurag Chandra, 42, has been charged with multiple counts of murder and assault with a deadly weapon according to Riverside County Jail records. He's accused of allegedly running six teenagers off the road because he was mad about a game of ding dong ditch. The victims were reportedly celebrating a friend's birthday when they were killed after their car crashed into a tree Sunday night.
Chandra allegedly chased after the teens in his Infiniti until he caught up with them and rammed his vehicle into theirs, before leaving the scene. CHP officers eventually caught up to Chandra and arrested him about a half-mile from the scene after a witness followed him.
One of the parents of a teenager who died in the fatal crash, says the loss of his son Jacob is devastating.
"We trust in the justice system and we believe in it," Alex Ivascu told reporters. "And I know justice will be served."
Chandra has been charged with three counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder. The Riverside County District Attorney is including a special circumstance allegation for multiple murders. That means he might pursue the death penalty.
Ivascu says the loss of his son Jacob is crushing.
"My family and I have been falling apart," Ivascu said. "Jacob is the eldest of five kids and he was the third mother/father figure. So we're all devastated."
Photo: Riverside County Sheriff's Office