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Lamont Ivan Russell faces life in state prison if convicted as charged

LONG BEACH, Calif. – A 55-year-old man has been charged with murder and DUI gross vehicular manslaughter for reversing his SUV at a high speed onto the sidewalk outside of a residential building in Long Beach, killing a 20-month-old toddler and injuring a 45-year-old woman and 12-year-old child.

“The sudden death of a toddler by this alleged DUI driver is a horrific tragedy that should never have happened,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. “I extend my deepest condolences to the child’s family as well as wishing a speedy recovery to the other victims of this tragedy. This heartbreaking crash took place in broad daylight on the sidewalk of a residential street, where all children and community members should be safe. To all drivers in Los Angeles County, know this: If you get behind the wheel while under the influence and cause a death, my office will hold you fully accountable and you could face life in prison for murder.”

Lamont Ivan Russell (dob 3/11/70) of Long Beach has been charged in case 26LBCF00332 with one felony count each of murder; gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated; driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage causing injury; driving with a 0.8 percent or higher blood alcohol content causing injury; and driving under the influence of alcohol and a drug causing injury. It is further alleged that Russell personally inflicted great bodily injury upon the juvenile and adult.

On March 2, 2026, at approximately 11:30 a.m., Russell was allegedly driving under the influence well above the .08 legal limit when he accelerated his SUV in reverse onto a sidewalk on Main Avenue in Long Beach and struck the victims, all pedestrians. The toddler was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The juvenile and adult victims were initially trapped underneath the vehicle then transported to the hospital with serious injuries.

Russell remained on scene and was arrested.

Russell’s arraignment is set for today in Department S01 of the Long Beach Courthouse. He is being held on $335,000 bail. The prosecution will request that the Court set statutory bail at $2.05 million at arraignment.

If convicted as charged, Russell faces life in state prison.

The case is being prosecuted by the Long Beach Branch Office with assistance from the DUI Training and Prosecution Section (DTAPS) and remains under investigation by the Long Beach Police Department.

The charges filed in this case are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.