An Apple employee has been charged with murder after authorities said he rear-ended a car with a 2-year-old girl inside while driving nearly 100 mph, causing her death.
According to KGO-TV, Eric Chen Su crashed into the car as it was stopped at a red light near Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California, on Friday, November 6, killing the toddler, who has since been identified as Riley Howard.
The girl was in the vehicle with a babysitter, who was badly injured, according to authorities.
Su, 38, was initially arrested on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter after he survived the crash with minor injuries, the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release on Saturday, November 7.
He was charged with murder and assault with a deadly weapon on Tuesday, November 10, in connection with Riley’s death, per KGO-TV. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
“Unquestionably, murder was the appropriate charge,” Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Rob Baker told the TV station. “The speedometer in his vehicle appeared to have been frozen at 100 at the time of the collision.”
Following the crash, Riley and the babysitter were transported to a hospital, where the toddler died.
Their car immediately caught fire due to the collision, sheriff’s office spokesperson Brooks Jarosz confirmed to NBC Bay Area.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy for everyone affected,” Captain Neil Valenzuela of the West Valley Patrol Division said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with the child’s family and loved ones as they navigate an unimaginable loss.”
According to investigators, Su was working at Apple’s Cupertino headquarters when he was allegedly speeding in a 30mph zone.
In an emailed statement to Us on Wednesday, November 11, an Apple spokesperson said, “Our hearts are broken by the tragic accident that happened outside of Apple Park Visitor Center. Our thoughts are with all of those grieving, and we are grateful for the care and support of the first responders.”
Riley was the youngest child of a family connected to Santa Clara County Firefighters.
“On Friday, a family that is part of our County Fire family lost their youngest, 2-year-old Riley, in a tragic crash in Cupertino,” Santa Clara County Firefighters wrote in a Facebook post shared Monday, November 9.
The post shared a link to a fundraiser supporting Riley’s mother, Alaina Brenner Howard.
“No family should ever have to endure a loss like this,” the message continued. “Our members have spent their careers showing up for this community in its hardest moments. Now we ask the community to show up for one of our own.”
Su’s next court date has been set for November 30, according to KGO-TV.
Information on his legal representation wasn’t immediately available.
