A 26-year-old man died in a hospital following an Oct. 9 Manhattan Beach crash that had also claimed his sister, prompting prosecutors to file a second murder charge against the suspected DUI driver.
In addition to the two counts of murder and the DUI charges, Antolin Titus, 35, was charged with reckless driving, possession of nitrous oxide and being an unlicensed driver, police said.
The second murdrer count was added to Titus’ charges in an amended complaint filed Monday, Oct. 26. Titus pleaded not guilty, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
A woman identified by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner as 24-year-old Danielle Antich of Hermosa Beach died at the scene of the Oct. 9 crash, which involved four vehicles, including a Manhattan Beach police cruiser.
Officers said they witnessed the vehicle hit another vehicle, causing the two vehicles to crash into the police SUV and a fourth vehicle.
Michael Antich, 26, died days later, on Oct. 17, at a hospital, from traumatic injuries, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
Michael and Danielle Antich were siblings, according to a GoFundMe created by their sister Nicole. Michael, the oldest sibling in the family, had graduated from Loma Linda University’s doctor of physical therapy program over the summer, with goals of working as a pediatric or acute care physical therapist, according to the GoFundMe.
Danielle was the youngest sibling of the Antich family, a minute younger than Nicole, her twin sister. Danielle was a recent graduate of California State University, Northridge, with a degree in journalism. The two were driving home when their vehicle was hit, according to the GoFundMe.
Titus’ bail was set at $4.1 million at prosecutors’ request following the addition of the second murder charge. His bail initially had been at $2.1 million, according to the original complaint.