On Sunday, April 2, 11-month-old Madden Ohlwiler was killed in a crash by a driver allegedly under the influence of drugs. Kyle and Hayley Ohlwiler were walking on a sidewalk with Madden in a stroller near Mission Viejo when the alleged DUI driver crashed into them. According to the California Highway Patrol, the car drove “several hundred feet” on the sidewalk before colliding with the Ohlwiler family.

The suspect was identified by the CHP as 54-year-old Daniel Lenihan. Kyle and Hayley  sustained major injuries. Madden was pronounced dead at the hospital less than a week before his first birthday.

"You don't expect these things to happen,” said CHP Officer Brian Kinsey. “But unfortunately when somebody decides to take drugs and drive under the influence it's not a good combination." 

Jonathan Cherney, a local specializing in accident reconstruction, analyzed the scene. He believes that Lenihan was speeding and that the family could have done nothing to prevent the accident. "I think the scariest thing is that when you're with your family and you're walking somewhere that's safe, nobody is going to expect a car to drive up on the sidewalk and take you out," he said.

By Connor Ku