Crimeupdated 8m ago3 min read
MapApple Employee Eric Chen Su Charged With Murder After Nearly 100 MPH Cupertino Crash Killed Riley Howard
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Eric Chen Su, an Apple employee, charged with murder and assault with a deadly weapon. The crash killed 2-year-old Riley Howard outside Apple’s Cupertino headquarters.
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Charged After Fiery Crash
Eric Chen Su, a 38-year-old Apple employee, faced felony counts of murder and assault with a deadly weapon after a fiery crash outside Apple’s Cupertino headquarters killed 2-year-old Riley Howard.
Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Rob Baker said, "Unquestionably, murder was the appropriate charge," and prosecutors said Su was traveling nearly 100 mph when he rear-ended a vehicle stopped at a red light on Tantau Avenue.
Investigators said Su’s Toyota Camry struck the back of a vehicle stopped at the intersection of North Tantau and Pruneridge avenues, and the collision set the vehicle on fire.
The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office said the speedometer in Su’s vehicle "appeared to have been frozen at 100 at the time of the collision," and Riley later died after being taken to a nearby hospital.
Su appeared before a judge in Palo Alto in a wheelchair, and his next court hearing was scheduled for Nov. 30.
Allegations, Injuries, Timeline
Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office statements of facts alleged Su drove his Toyota Camry northbound on Tantau Ave. at 12:01 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6, "at a reckless, excessive speed that a reasonable person would know is careless, reckless, and without due regard for the safety of others."
CBS News said the crash happened shortly after noon on Friday at the intersection of N. Tantau and Pruneridge avenues, where deputies found a woman and child in a Chevrolet Trax with serious injuries.
CBS News reported the investigation determined the Camry had been traveling at speeds over 90 mph when it rear-ended the Trax, and the deputy’s statement of facts indicated the Camry driver did not apply his brakes before the collision.
KTVU said investigators determined Su was driving more than 90 mph in a 30 mph zone, and KTVU reported the Toyota’s speedometer was stuck at 100 mph after the crash.
The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office said Su was arrested on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter before prosecutors charged him with murder and assault with a deadly weapon.
Court, Company Response
Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Rob Baker told ABC7 Eyewitness News that the speedometer in Su’s vehicle "appeared to have been frozen at 100 at the time of the collision," and prosecutors said that speed was a factor in Riley’s death.
“Our hearts are broken by the tragic accident that happened outside of Apple Park Visitor Center.”
People reported that an Apple spokesperson said, "Our hearts are broken by the tragic accident that happened outside of Apple Park Visitor Center," and the spokesperson added, "Our thoughts are with all of those grieving, and we are grateful for the care and support of the first responders."
The criminal complaint described the assault charge as alleging Chen personally inflicted great bodily injury during the assault and that the victim was particularly vulnerable, CBS News reported.
ABC said Su appeared in court Tuesday in a wheelchair but was otherwise uninjured, and ABC reported no plea was entered.
KGO-TV and other coverage cited by People said Su was scheduled to appear in court for a plea hearing Nov. 30, while People reported it was unclear whether Su had retained an attorney who could speak on his behalf.