Gwinnett County

8-year-old and 14-year-old killed in head-on crash; driver charged

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A driver is facing vehicular homicide charges after two kids were killed in a crash involving several vehicles late Wednesday night in Gwinnett County.

According to the Gwinnett County Police Department, the crash happened on Steve Reynolds Boulevard near Windward Lane in unincorporated Norcross just after 10 p.m.

Investigators told Channel 2's Tom Regan that a car crossed into oncoming traffic and struck another car head-on. A third vehicle was also involved.

Police say 28-year-old Cindy Catalan-Ordonez caused the crash. Vincent Kim, 8, and Kristin Kim, 14, were both passengers in the car that was struck head-on. They both died as result of the crash.

A total of eight people were taken to local hospitals, including Catalan-Ordonez.

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Catalan-Ordonez has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide, reckless driving and driving in the wrong lane. She'll be taken to jail once she is out of the hospital, police said.

Police said speed was a factor in the crash.

Regan learned that Catalan-Ordonez has had several prior run-ins with police.

She's been charged with two DUIs, drug possession, battery and driving on a suspended license.

A report on one of her DUI arrests says that when asked to blow into a Breathalyzer, Catalan-Ordonez responded, "Why should I blow into that? I know I'm drunk."

It's unclear whether alcohol was involved in this crash.

Atala Cepeda witnessed the crash and took cellphone video of the aftermath.

"One (car) was on fire, and the kids ... Everybody was outside," Cepeda said. "All of this is terrible."

Atala said her heart goes out to the couple who lost their children.

"It's really sad for the kids, the mommy, the family, neighbors," Cepeda said. "This is really bad."