FIREBAUGH, Calif. – A Central Valley man who crashed his van, killing his three children aboard, is under arrest for driving under the influence of alcohol and a controlled substance.
Sheriff's officials say Aref Kareem Mohammed of Firebaugh crashed his van head-on into another vehicle in southwest Madera County on Tuesday afternoon, killing his twin 6-year-old boys and their 3-year-old sister. Mohammed was not seriously hurt.
Authorities say the 34-year-old Mohammed faces multiple charges, including DUI with gross negligence, child endangerment and driving under the influence of a controlled substance.
Officials say Mohammed was wearing his seat belt but his children — Ahmaed, Gahassan and Fatima — were not. The four passengers in the other car suffered minor to major injuries.
Mohammed has been released on $100,000 bail.
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