Driver, O.C. School Liable in Deaths of Two Students

The parents of two elementary school girls who were killed two years ago when a car jumped a curb and crushed them against a building have been awarded $1.2 million by an Orange County jury that found the school district and driver liable.

The jury deliberated four days before finding that the Centralia Unified School District shared some of the blame with driver Maria Martinez Juarez, 52, it was announced Friday.

The accident occurred March 12, 2002, as Juarez was waiting to pick up a grandchild at Centralia Elementary School in Anaheim, according to police.

Juarez’s car apparently had moved forward and, according to witnesses, she was looking down at her seat belt. When she looked up and saw the children, she tried to brake but pressed the accelerator instead, the attorney for the victims’ families said.

Her car jumped a curb and plowed into a passenger pickup and drop-off zone in front of the school. Nidia “Liz” Curiel, 6, of Anaheim and Bianca Perez, 7, of Buena Park were killed.

The suit was brought by Sua and Armando Curiel, and Alma and Ramon Perez. They alleged the district was negligent because the school had not, for four years, enforced a no-parking area when parents picked up their children.

The jury found that the district was 15% at fault and Juarez 85%, the attorney said. The district will pay about $180,000 to each family, Sayer said.

Juarez pleaded guilty to misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter and served 120 days in jail.