Man accused in 2 Irvine crash deaths told officers he’d ‘only get 5 years,’ police say

The Costa Mesa man accused of killing a 2-year-old girl and her grandmother in a hit-and-run crash this month in Irvine told officers who arrested him that he would “only get five years” for the crime, according to a written statement from a police detective.

Alec Scott Abraham, 20, was arrested at a Costa Mesa park the day after the June 10 crash.

According to the statement, Abraham admitted that he had been involved in a traffic collision. The statement was included in a June 15 court filing asking an Orange County judge to increase Abraham’s bail from $100,000 to $1 million.

In the document, Irvine Det. Jonathan Cherney wrote that police tracked down Abraham by “pinging” his cellphone. He did not elaborate.

The night before, a helicopter and a bloodhound were unable to find Abraham at the crash scene, where police believe he stole a bystander’s phone and called someone to help him escape, Cherney wrote.

At the time of Cherney’s statement, Abraham was facing two counts of vehicular manslaughter and other charges that carried a maximum sentence of 14 years in jail.

But on Tuesday, prosecutors filed two counts of murder to replace the other charges, and Abraham now could face 30 years to life in prison if convicted.

Prosecutors have not explained why they increased the charges, other than to say they found new evidence. Police previously said they were investigating whether street racing contributed to the crash.

According to the allegations, Abraham was speeding in a Ford Mustang when he ran a red light and broadsided a Chevrolet Cruze at the intersection of Alton and Barranca parkways.

The Cruze’s driver, Katherine Hampton, 54, of Lake Forest, died at the scene. Her granddaughter Kaydence was riding in the back seat and died four days later at a hospital.

Hampton’s adult daughter and 7-year-old grandson also were in the car and suffered serious injuries.

According to Cherney’s statement, Abraham looked into the car at Hampton’s body and the injured passengers before fleeing.

The document also notes Abraham’s recent history of traffic citations, including multiple incidents involving speeding.

Cherney added that an officer and a sergeant in his department were familiar with Abraham and “have seen his aggressive driving in the city of Irvine.”

A lawyer representing Abraham did not immediately return a call about the case Thursday.

Abraham is in Orange County Jail with bail set at $1 million and is expected to enter a plea to the charges on July 8.