Fatal Collision Occurred September 21 on La Veta Avenue
ORANGE, CA, (September 21, 2025) - Bryan Reyes, 26, of Santa Ana, has been arrested on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated following a fatal pedestrian accident in Orange on September 21.
Bryan Reyes was arrested for vehicular manslaughter after allegedly killing a pedestrian while driving under the influence in Orange Sunday night.
Police said the crash occurred just before 8 p.m. near La Veta Avenue and Devon Road. Reyes was reportedly driving east on La Veta Avenue when he struck an 80-year-old man crossing the street outside of a marked crosswalk. Despite efforts from Orange City Fire Department responders, the pedestrian died from his injuries.
Reyes is being held at Orange County Jail as the Orange Police Department investigates the incident and urges anyone with information to contact authorities.
DUI ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
California reported over 27,000 alcohol-involved crashes in 2023, resulting in more than 1,000 fatalities and nearly 16,000 injuries, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety.
DUI-related deaths accounted for roughly one-third of all traffic fatalities statewide. Young adult drivers and nighttime incidents made up a significant portion of these crashes, with weekends showing the highest concentration. Despite ongoing enforcement and public awareness campaigns, impaired driving remains a leading cause of fatal collisions across the state.
"Drunken and drugged drivers are subject to criminal charges following an accident or collision that causes harm or kills another person,’’ explained Candice Bond, a Managing Partner at Bond Legal.
She added, “Separate from criminal charges, a victim’s family may be entitled to compensation through a civil lawsuit against the responsible party.”
According to the National Safety Council, 10 percent of all fatal automobile accidents are caused by drivers operating vehicles under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other medications. These accidents are the second-leading cause of automobile fatalities in this country.
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the outcome of the investigation, the family of the victim may be entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim. Relatives of wrongful death victims can seek compensation for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a tragic or catastrophic accident.
“Losing a loved one in an accident can be an incredibly overwhelming experience,” said Candice Bond, Managing Partner of Bond Legal.
“We recognize the challenges families face, and protecting their rights is essential. A wrongful death attorney will monitor the investigation and ensure that the family’s legal rights and best interests are fully safeguarded,” Bond added.
(This report is based on verified data - learn more on our About Us page.)
If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one due to a drunk driver, national legal analyst Candice Bond offers free consultations to guide you.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).