Pregnant woman looking thoughtful with a question mark on her chest and a text bubble asking for help

Anaheim Police Arrest Driver in Fatal DUI Crash

At a Glance

  • Anaheim Police Department arrested a driver after a crash that killed a pregnant woman and her unborn child on Jan. 25 at 12:10 a.m.
  • The victim, 24-year-old Bianca Esquivel, was trapped in a Toyota sedan that collided with a Lexus driven by Daniel Ramos.
  • Ramos faces felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter charges, with additional charges possible.
  • Why it matters: The incident highlights the dangers of impaired driving and the impact on families.

A collision on the intersection of North Anaheim Boulevard and the SR-91 freeway at 12:10 a.m. on Jan. 25 left a pregnant woman dead and prompted the arrest of a driver suspected of DUI. The incident involved a Toyota sedan and a Lexus sedan, and the victim was 24-year-old Bianca Esquivel.

Collision Details

The crash occurred as the Toyota, traveling southbound on North Anaheim Boulevard, entered the intersection. A Lexus, traveling eastbound on the SR-91 freeway frontage road, failed to stop at a red traffic signal and struck the Toyota.

  • The Toyota was a light-colored four-door sedan.
  • The Lexus was a dark-colored sedan.
  • Both vehicles were involved in the collision.

Police described the victim as being trapped inside the Toyota after the impact. Despite life-saving efforts, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Charges and Arrest

Police arrested 24-year-old Daniel Ramos, the driver of the Lexus, after he allegedly “exhibited objective signs and symptoms of impairment.” He was booked into the Anaheim Detention Facility on felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter charges. Police said additional charges may be added pending the investigation.

Charges listed:

  • Felony DUI
  • Vehicular manslaughter
  • Possible additional charges related to the victim’s pregnancy

The arrest came the same evening the crash occurred, indicating a swift police response.

Victim and Family

Bianca Esquivel was identified by loved ones as a 24-year-old pregnant woman. Her boyfriend, Oscar, told KABC that the couple had just left an In-N-Out restaurant after satisfying cravings when the collision happened.

> “We were laughing on the way back, we were just smiling. It was so fast. She screamed, she was like, ‘Oh my god,'” Oscar recalled.

> “She was my best friend… We were already planning stuff, buying clothes,” he added.

The family started a GoFundMe to cover medical expenses for Oscar and funeral arrangements. The page described Bianca as a devoted mother, a beloved sister and daughter, and a caring girlfriend. She had planned to return to school to pursue a degree in accounting and had a 4-year-old son.

Viri Esquivel, Bianca’s sister, described her as a homebody who loved spending time with family. She expressed the loss by saying, “I personally don’t know how to answer, ‘Where’s my mommy?’ Because his mommy isn’t coming back,” to KABC.

Toyota driving southbound with a dark Lexus illuminating it under a red stop signal near a night intersection

Investigation and Next Steps

The Anaheim Police Department said its traffic investigators are “continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision.” Any criminal charges will be presented to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for review.

Witnesses or anyone with information about the incident are encouraged to contact the department at (714) 765-1900 or submit an anonymous tip to Orange County Crime Stoppers at (855) TIP-OCCS or online at occrimestoppers.org.

Event Date/Time Notes
Crash Jan. 25, 12:10 a.m. Intersection of North Anaheim Boulevard & SR-91 frontage road
Arrest Jan. 25, 12:15 a.m. Daniel Ramos booked on felony DUI & vehicular manslaughter
Investigation Ongoing Traffic investigators continuing review

Key Takeaways

  • A fatal crash involving a pregnant woman and an unborn child occurred in Anaheim early Sunday morning.
  • The victim, 24-year-old Bianca Esquivel, was killed when her Toyota was struck by a Lexus driven by Daniel Ramos.
  • Ramos was arrested for felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter; additional charges may follow.
  • The case underscores the lethal risks of impaired driving and the lasting impact on families.

The incident has drawn attention to the importance of traffic safety and the legal consequences of driving under the influence.

Author

  • My name is Amanda S. Bennett, and I am a Los Angeles–based journalist covering local news and breaking developments that directly impact our communities.

    Amanda S. Bennett covers housing and urban development for News of Los Angeles, reporting on how policy, density, and displacement shape LA neighborhoods. A Cal State Long Beach journalism grad, she’s known for data-driven investigations grounded in on-the-street reporting.

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