Apple employee charged after crash killed toddler near Apple Park

Apple employee Eric Chen Su was charged with murder and assault with a deadly weapon on November 10 in connection with a crash near Apple Park that killed two-year-old Riley Howard. The charges are allegations, and Su has not been found guilty.

The crash occurred around 12:01 p.m. on November 6 at North Tantau Avenue and Pruneridge Avenue in Cupertino. Investigators said Su was driving a Toyota Camry north on Tantau Avenue when it struck the back of a stopped vehicle. Riley was riding in that vehicle with a babysitter.

Riley later died from her injuries. The babysitter survived and was treated for head and spinal injuries. Su sustained minor injuries, according to reports. The initial arrest was on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter before the murder and assault charges were filed.

Investigators said Su was travelling at more than 90 mph in a 30 mph zone and did not brake before impact. They said video footage and witness accounts supported their assessment that he was driving at an excessive speed. A speedometer in the Camry was found stuck at 100 mph after the crash, but that reading does not establish the vehicle’s precise speed before impact.