Man Charged With Murder in Crash That Killed Toddler Near Apple

A 2-year-old girl died after a car traveling at nearly 100 mph struck the vehicle she was riding in near Apple’s Cupertino headquarters on November 6. Eric Chen Su was charged on November 10 with murder and assault with a deadly weapon, and appeared before a judge in Palo Alto.

Prosecutors said Su was driving a Toyota Camry when he rear-ended a car stopped at a red light. Investigators said the collision happened at Tantau and Pruneridge avenues, and that Su was traveling more than 90 mph in a 30 mph zone. The Toyota’s speedometer was found stuck at 100 mph, investigators said.

Riley Howard, of San Jose, was in a child safety seat in the struck car. She and a woman identified as her babysitter were taken to a hospital with serious injuries. Riley later died; the woman suffered head and spinal injuries and is recovering. The car caught fire after the crash.

Investigators said video footage and witness accounts supported their conclusion that Su had been speeding beyond the legal limit at a dangerously high rate, and that he did not brake before impact. They also said the crash occurred around lunchtime, when traffic from vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists typically increases near the Apple site. Su worked at Apple’s Cupertino location; investigators said it was unclear whether he was on a lunch break.

A memorial has been placed at the crash site. Su faces the two felony charges in connection with the collision.