Man Pleads No Contest in Crash That Killed Off-Duty Officer, Second Man

A Tragic Crash and the Consequences of Speeding

A young man has pleaded no contest to murder and DUI charges related to a fatal car crash in Northridge that resulted in the death of an off-duty Los Angeles police officer and another individual who was preparing to join the LAPD academy. The incident, which occurred on November 4, 2023, has left a lasting impact on the community and highlighted the dangers of reckless driving.

Brian David Olivarez, who was 20 years old at the time of the crash and is now 21, was sentenced to 16 years and eight months to life in state prison for his plea of two counts of murder and one count of driving under the influence. This sentence marks a significant legal consequence for the actions that led to the tragic event.

The crash took place on Roscoe Boulevard, where Olivarez was driving a 2008 BMW 328i westbound. During a hearing last December, LAPD Officer Brandon Jeon testified that investigators believed the vehicle was traveling between 80 mph and 97 mph on a street with a 40 mph speed limit. This extreme speed was a critical factor in the collision.

Another LAPD officer, Alexander Martinez, testified about prior interactions with Olivarez. He had warned the defendant about the risks of speeding and running red lights, noting that he had seen Olivarez go through a red light six months before the fatal crash at the same intersection. Martinez cited Olivarez for two violations, including driving without a license, after having to drive 60 mph to catch up with him. Olivarez reportedly nodded in agreement during this encounter.

A third officer, Jeffrey Ngo, testified that he determined Olivarez was under the influence of alcohol after the crash. Testing was conducted to confirm this, further complicating the case.

Edgar Martinez, an off-duty San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy who was a passenger in the Infiniti driven by Officer Darrell Cunningham, provided testimony about the aftermath of the crash. He recalled waking up to emergency lights and hearing firefighters using the Jaws of Life to open the vehicle. He also mentioned seeing a sheet placed over Cunningham’s head. Soriano, who was sitting in front of him, was unresponsive, and Martinez later confirmed that both of his friends had died in the collision.

Martinez suffered 11 injuries, including a broken right femur and a small skull fracture. He required three surgeries and spent over a month in the hospital, followed by home care and physical therapy.

Angela Lujan, who was dating Olivarez and was a passenger in his vehicle during the crash, testified that she did not remember the incident. She described realizing they were in an accident but noted that she underwent about six surgeries during her two-week hospital stay and did not suffer any permanent injuries.

The tragedy has deeply affected the families involved. Cunningham’s mother described the incident as “very senseless,” emphasizing that it happened at 1:15 a.m., when there was little traffic. She questioned the urgency that led to such reckless behavior.

Soriano’s godmother highlighted the broader impact of the crash, stating that hundreds of people have been affected by one person's bad decision. This sentiment underscores the far-reaching consequences of reckless driving and the importance of responsible behavior on the road.