Crash Kills 2 Women, Driver Arrested

La Verne - Two women died this morning in a vehicle crash in La Verne and the man who was believed to be their driver was in custody on suspicion of murder, felony driving under the influence, and hit-and-run, police said.

The crash was reported at 12:44 a.m. at Foothill Boulevard and Wheeler Avenue, where police found a smashed-up 2000 Pontiac, La Verne police said. It's unclear exactly what time the accident occurred.

One woman was pronounced dead at the scene. A second female passenger was taken to a hospital where she later died. Their names were withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The suspected drunken driver of the Pontiac, Alan McConnell, 27, was arrested at the scene on murder, felony DUI and hit-and-run charges, police said.

According to police, witnesses said McConnell was driving the Pontiac when it crashed into another vehicle at Foothill and Damien Avenue. McConnell then allegedly drove away from the scene, heading eastbound on Foothill Avenue where he crossed the center divider and crashed into a tree just west of Wheeler Avenue.

There were no other significant injuries in the hit-and-run crash, police said.