Crime & Safety

OC Starbucks Worker Dies In Suspected DUI, Driver Arrested: Cops

A 19-year-old Starbucks worker died after being hit by a Ford F250 as he walked home. The driver, a convicted DUI driver, is behind bars.

Sitani Pinomi, 39, was being held without bail on suspicion of vehicular murder, according to Sgt. Phil McMullin of the Orange Police Department.
Sitani Pinomi, 39, was being held without bail on suspicion of vehicular murder, according to Sgt. Phil McMullin of the Orange Police Department. (Orange Police Dept.)

ORANGE, CA — A 19-year-old Starbucks worker was killed and a 39-year-old convicted drunk driver was behind bars Thursday on suspicion of a DUI collision in Orange.

Sitani Pinomi was being held without bail on suspicion of vehicular murder, according to Sgt. Phil McMullin of the Orange Police Department.

The victim — identified by the Orange County Sheriff-Coroner's Department as 19-year-old Aden Uriostegui of Orange—was returning home from his job at Starbucks about 10 p.m. Wednesday.

Find out what's happening in Orange Countyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Uriostegui was crossing the street with the right of way in a crosswalk when he was struck by an F-250 Ford pickup, McMullin said.

The collision happened at Tustin Street and Heim Avenue.

Find out what's happening in Orange Countyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Pinomi allegedly ran a red light and "showed signs of impairment," he said.

Pinomi's license was suspended due to a prior DUI and he was convicted in 2007 of driving under the influence in Los Angeles County, McMullin said.

The prior DUI conviction can be used by prosecutors to upgrade charges from vehicular manslaughter to second-degree murder.

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Orange County