Upland police say the drunk driver was twice the legal limit when he killed a woman in a crash

Police say the drunken driver who left an Upland grandmother dead earlier this week was twice the legal limit when he caused the fiery crash, and that he was convicted of another drunken driving charge just months ago had been arrested.

According to the Upland Police Department, the accident occurred around 4 p.m. Wednesday when a high-speed collision occurred at the intersection of Euclid Avenue and 15th Street.

Investigators believe the suspected drunk driver, now identified as 25-year-old Jose Ramirez, rear-ended another car while crossing the intersection, leaving a beloved 83-year-old grandmother dead and her granddaughter in one left in critical condition.

“He hit her so hard that the trajectory held her together,” said Robert Velto, who witnessed the accident and said Ramirez was probably driving at about 80 miles per hour. “I tapped the lady on the shoulder and said, 'Ma'am, are you OK?' Nothing. I tried to find a pulse, there was nothing.

Investigators say the woman, who has not yet been identified, was heading east on the 15th when they were struck by Ramirez, who was driving south on Euclid.

“She sees one of her grandchildren die right next to her. It was pointless,” Velto said. “I was sad, but I was even more upset.”

The condition of the granddaughter was not available at the latest.

Police say Ramirez was twice the legal limit at the time of the accident and that he was arrested on a separate charge of driving under the influence just three months ago in July

For this reason, the San Bernardino County District Attorney has decided to file murder charges in this case. He was also charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, causing serious bodily injury. He is being held on $1 million bail.

“Someone lost their life needlessly because they made an idiotic decision, such as thinking, 'I can drive even though I have twice the legal blood alcohol limit,'” said a statement from the Upland police chief , Marcelo A. Blanco. “Please don’t ‘drink while driving’, it can have life-changing consequences.”

Ramirez is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.