Plea expected in deadly wrong-way crash

A man accused of killing one person and injuring two others while allegedly driving the wrong way on the freeway is scheduled to enter a plea in court Thursday, according to prosecutors.

Ruben Gurrola, 23, of Pomona is facing felony charges of murder, driving under the influence causing bodily injury, and driving with a blood alcohol level of .08 or more. He has a sentencing enhancement for causing great bodily injury and causing great bodily injury to multiple victims, according to the Orange County district attorney’s office.

Prosecutors said Gurrola had been drinking at a Newport Beach bar with his girlfriend for several hours prior to the accident, later crashing head-on into a Toyota sedan while driving the wrong way on the Riverside (91) Freeway in Anaheim.

The Toyota was being driven by 57-year-old Young Kim and 53-year-old Kyung Namgoong, according to the D.A.’s office.

Namgoong was transported to a hospital and later pronounced dead.

Kim, Gurrola and Gurrola’s girlfriend were treated at a hospital for injuries ranging from lacerations to a broken leg, prosecutors said.

Upon his release from the hospital Feb. 2, Gurrola was arrested by the California Highway Patrol. He remains in custody in lieu of $1-million bail. If convicted, Gurrola faces up to 19 years to life in prison.

— Lauren Williams

Twitter: @lawilliams30