Indian-Origin Man killed three teens over door bell prank

California: In a tragic case, Anurag Chandra, a 45-year-old man of Indian origin, has been sentenced to life imprisonment. The sentencing came after Chandra was found guilty of murder charges for deliberately ramming his car into a vehicle, resulting in the death of three 16-year-old boys and serious injuries to three other teens.

The incident took place on the night of January 19, 2020, on Temescal Canyon Road in California.

Following a swift three-hour deliberation, the jury in Riverside County returned with guilty verdicts against Chandra, convicting him a special circumstance allegation of multiple murders, according to a press release issued by the District Attorney’s Office on July 14.

The investigation into the incident revealed a horrifying chain of events that unfolded after the teens played a “doorbell” prank on Chandra. The youngsters, who were having a sleepover, dared one of their friends to perform the prank on a nearby house. As one of the boys rang the doorbell and ran back to their car.

Chandra, who resided at the house, became infuriated by the prank and decided to pursue the boys’ vehicle in his own car. The situation quickly escalated as Chandra rear-ended and sideswiped the 2002 Toyota Prius carrying the teens until they were forced to stop. In a desperate attempt to escape, the boys made a U-turn, but Chandra relentlessly continued the pursuit.

As the vehicles approached Squaw Mountain Road, Chandra dangerously accelerated to a speed of 99 mph and intentionally crashed his car into the back of the Prius, causing it to veer off the road and collide with a tree. Tragically, Daniel Hawkins, Jacob Ivascu, and Drake Ruiz, all 16 years old, lost their lives in the horrific crash. The 18-year-old driver of the Prius, along with two other boys aged 13 and 14, sustained serious injuries but managed to survive the devastating collision.

After causing the fatal crash, Chandra left the scene without reporting the incident and returned home. However, he was later apprehended by authorities and has since been in custody at the Robert Presley Detention Centre in Riverside, where he awaited trial.

In addition to the murder charges, Chandra also faced misdemeanor charges of spousal battery and child endangerment in a separate case. He pleaded guilty to these charges and received credit for the time he had already served.

The tragic loss of young lives and the devastating impact on their families serve as a somber reminder of the consequences of unchecked anger and callous actions.