A former Los Angeles police officer will now spend at least the next 15 years behind bars after pleading guilty to charges stemming from a devastating DUI crash that claimed the lives of an innocent family of three. Edgar Verduzco, now 34, entered his guilty plea on April 11, 2025, and was formally sentenced to 15 years to life in prison during a hearing on Friday in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
Verduzco’s charges include three counts of second-degree murder, as well as one count of DUI causing injury and one count of driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or more causing injury—a tragic contradiction to his oath as a law enforcement officer. The sentencing closes a harrowing chapter that began on September 26, 2017, when Verduzco, while off duty, was driving under the influence and traveling at high speeds on the 605 Freeway in Santa Fe Springs.
His car slammed into the vehicle carrying the Davila family, causing it to erupt in flames. 19-year-old Oscar Davila, a promising student at UC Riverside, was killed instantly along with his parents, 60-year-old Mario Davila and 52-year-old Maribel Davila. Another vehicle was also struck in the crash, resulting in injuries to its occupants, though they survived.
Since his arrest in 2018, Verduzco had been in custody awaiting trial. At the sentencing hearing before Judge Shelly Torrealba, Verduzco addressed the court and the victims’ family members with visible emotion. “There are no words that can truly make this right,” he said, fighting back tears. “I caused a terrible accident that took the lives of an innocent family, and I promise I will always keep their memory alive.”
Judge Torrealba acknowledged Verduzco’s remorse, noting that while the sentence cannot undo the suffering caused, she believed he genuinely wished he could trade places with those whose lives he ended. “It’s clear this has changed you,” she said. “And I hope that someday, after paying your debt, you will become a better man who contributes to society.”
A Tragedy Made Worse by Betrayed Trust
For the Davila family’s loved ones and the broader community, the pain of the loss was intensified by the fact that the man responsible had once worn a badge. Verduzco was sworn to protect and serve, trained to prevent the very behavior he committed. The betrayal of that trust left deep wounds.
“He knew better,” said one family friend. “He was trained to spot impaired drivers, not become one. The fact that he put others in danger so carelessly is unforgivable.”
According to investigators, Verduzco had been drinking at a bar earlier in the evening before getting behind the wheel of his vehicle. He was reportedly speeding when the crash occurred, a decision that led to irreversible devastation. The Davila family’s car was engulfed in flames shortly after the impact, leaving no chance for survival.
Remembering the Davilas
The victims in this case were more than just statistics. Oscar Davila was a bright, ambitious young man studying at the University of California, Riverside. He had aspirations of making a difference in his community and building a future full of promise. His parents, Mario and Maribel, were remembered as hardworking, kind-hearted, and devoted to their family. They were known throughout their neighborhood as dependable friends and loving parents who supported their son’s dreams.
The impact of their deaths was deeply felt not only by their extended family and neighbors, but also by Oscar’s university peers and professors. Vigils were held in their memory, and community members called for stricter enforcement of DUI laws and a renewed commitment to accountability—even among those in positions of authority.
Justice Served, But Pain Endures
While Verduzco’s guilty plea and sentencing bring a measure of justice, it cannot erase the grief or fill the void left by the Davilas’ deaths. The emotional scars remain for the relatives who now face birthdays, holidays, and everyday life without three beloved members of their family.
Still, many find some comfort in knowing that Verduzco accepted responsibility for his actions and that he will serve significant time behind bars for the lives he took. The sentencing also serves as a stark reminder that no one is above the law—not even those tasked with enforcing it.
As Edgar Verduzco begins his prison sentence, the community continues to honor the memory of Mario, Maribel, and Oscar Davila—three lives extinguished far too soon by a reckless and preventable act. Their legacy lives on in the fight against drunk driving and the enduring love of those who refuse to let them be forgotten.
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