Off-Duty Deputy Charged With Murder In Fatal Solo Crash

TORRANCE, CA — Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced this week that an off-duty Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy was charged with murder for a fatal solo car crash in the South Bay last summer.

“Reckless driving can be deadly and no one knows that more than law enforcement officers,” District Attorney Gascón said.

Daniel Manuel Auner, 23, faces one felony count each of murder and reckless driving on a highway causing injury with an allegation of causing great bodily injury.

Arraignment was scheduled Wednesday in Department 4 of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Torrance Branch.

Auner, an off-duty deputy, is accused of driving his vehicle at a high rate of speed and crashing into a traffic pole at the corner of Crenshaw Boulevard and 190th Street in Torrance. His front-seat passenger, Ashley Wells, 23, died as a result of her injuries in the crash.

Two other passengers suffered serious injuries, according to prosecutors.

The case remains under investigation by the Torrance Police Department.

Wells' parents have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Auner. They allege he was driving drunk and street racing. Auner was placed on paid administrative leave following the fatal crash.

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