A Cuyama father pleaded not guilty in Santa Barbara County Superior Court on Monday morning to two counts of murder in connection with a violent crash that killed his young daughters near Lompoc last week.
Wearing shackles and an orange jail uniform, Brian Hernandez Cervantes, 23, appeared in a Santa Maria courtroom before Judge John McGregor for the brief arraignment hearing.
Hernandez Cervantes has been charged with murder in connection with a violent high-speed crash that sliced his vehicle in half, killing his young daughters in child safety seats.
The girls, Stella Aliyah Hernandez, 3, and Luna Alani Hernandez, 7 months old, were pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash occurred just before 4 p.m. Nov. 20 on Harris Grade Road near Rucker Road in the Lompoc Valley.
California Highway Patrol officers attempted to stop a speeding sedan, but the driver went faster, traveling well above the speed limit.
The Infiniti’s driver fled north on Harris Grade Road, accelerating to high speeds and passing vehicles recklessly on the narrow two-lane road, the CHP said.
Less than a minute later, the driver failed to negotiate a curve, slamming into an oak tree with enough force to tear the vehicle in half.
After the collision into the tree, the front portion of the vehicle slid down the hillside and the rear portion of the vehicle struck a southbound Toyota Equinox, whose driver was uninjured, according to CHP.
The CHP Coastal Division Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team, made up of experts in accident reconstruction, traffic engineering and automotive engineering, has joined the complex investigation.
The CHP initially arrested Hernandez Cervantes on suspicion of murder, child endangerment, driving under the influence of alcohol and reckless driving causing injury.
During the arraignment hearing, defense attorney Michael Clayton entered the plea on his client’s behalf and suggested returning in two months.
Deputy District Attorneys Nicholas Harmon and Michelle Mossembekker are leading the prosecution team.
Clayton said the attorneys are still awaiting results of toxicology tests and expect a lot of evidence related to the case.
Beyond responding “Good morning” to the judge and answering one question with yes, the defendant didn’t otherwise speak.
His next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 22 before Superior Court Judge Steve Foley in Lompoc.
Hernandez Cervantes is being held without bail in the Santa Barbara County Jail.
Meanwhile, two GoFundMe pages have raised more than $50,000, one now paused by the creator after raising more than $25,000. The second states that the funds will go to the girls’ mother, Serena, and raised more than $23,100.
The girls’ family has ties to the Los Alamos Valley, which has rallied to support them in the wake of the tragedy.
The Los Alamos Valley Men’s Club is hosting a barbecue chicken fundraiser on Sunday starting at 11 a.m. until sold out. For $15, meals include chicken, beans, rice, salad, bread and drink. For donations or to purchase tickets, call 805.714.2390.