Victor Siharath, a 36-year-old from Pomona, California, has been thrust into the spotlight after a harrowing incident that left three women dead and two others injured on March 2, 2024. He was arrested on suspicion of felony driving under the influence after he allegedly slammed into another car with five occupants at the intersection of White Avenue and Phillips Boulevard in Pomona. The victims were returning from a baby shower when the tragic collision occurred.
A long-time resident of Pomona
According to various reports, Siharath is a long-time resident of Pomona, a city in Los Angeles County with a population of about 150,000. Pomona is known for its diverse and multicultural community, with a majority of Hispanic or Latino residents (71%), followed by African Americans (9%), Asians (7%), and whites (6%). The city is also home to several institutions of higher education, such as Cal Poly Pomona, Western University of Health Sciences, and Pomona College.
Victor Siharath’s roots are deeply ingrained in the Pomona neighborhood, where he was likely raised, made friends, followed his hobbies, and dealt with the ups and downs of life. According to his Facebook profile, he attended Pomona High School and graduated in 2006. He also listed his occupation as a “self-employed” contractor. His social media posts show that he enjoyed traveling, fishing, camping, and spending time with his family and friends.
An unclear ethnicity and religion
Determining Siharath’s ethnicity and religion presents a challenge, as his personal beliefs are not explicitly stated, and available information provides little insight into this aspect of his life. However, considering the ethnic and religious landscape of Pomona, as well as his surname, offers some context for speculation.
Victor Siharath is a common surname among people of Lao origin, a Southeast Asian ethnic group that mainly inhabits Laos, a landlocked country bordering Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and China. Laos has a population of about 7 million, with 53% belonging to the Lao ethnic group, followed by Khmu (11%), Hmong (9%), and other minorities (27%). The Lao people have a rich and diverse culture, influenced by Buddhism, animism, and French colonialism.
According to the 2020 U.S. Census, there are about 232,000 people of Lao descent living in the United States, with California having the largest concentration of 67,000. Pomona has a sizable Lao community, with about 1,800 residents identifying as Lao, making up 1.2% of the city’s population. The Lao community in Pomona has established several cultural and religious organizations, such as the Lao Buddhist Temple of Pomona, the Lao American Coalition, and the Lao Family Community Empowerment.
Based on these facts, it is possible that Victor Siharath is of Lao ethnicity, or at least has some Lao ancestry. However, this does not necessarily imply that he follows the Lao culture or religion, as he may have adopted a different identity or belief system over the years. Furthermore, he may have mixed or multiple ethnicities, as many Americans do, making it difficult to categorize him into a single group.
As for his religion, the most likely scenario is that he is either Buddhist or Christian, as these are the two most prevalent religions among the Lao people in Laos and the United States. Buddhism is the dominant religion in Laos, with 66% of the population adhering to Theravada Buddhism, a branch of Buddhism that emphasizes personal enlightenment and ethical conduct. Christianity is the second-largest religion in Laos, with 2% of the population identifying as Christian, mostly Protestant or Catholic.
In the United States, the Lao community is more religiously diverse, with some Lao Americans retaining their Buddhist faith, while others converting to Christianity, especially among the Hmong subgroup. According to a 2012 survey by the Pew Research Center, 53% of Lao Americans are Buddhist, 30% are Christian, 9% are unaffiliated, and 8% follow other religions. Pomona has several places of worship for both Buddhists and Christians, such as the Lao Buddhist Temple of Pomona, the First Lao Baptist Church, and the Lao Evangelical Church.
Given these statistics, it is plausible that Siharath is either Buddhist or Christian, or perhaps unaffiliated or agnostic, depending on his personal choice and conviction. However, without any direct confirmation from him or his family, his religious affiliation remains unclear and uncertain.
Quick Info
| Name | Age | Gender | Ethnicity | Religion | Occupation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Victor Siharath | 36 | Male | Possibly Lao | Possibly Buddhist or other | Dancer and performer | Arrested for felony DUI |
| Yesenia Olaez | 33 | Female | Hispanic or Latino | Unknown | Dental assistant | Deceased |
| Alejandra Olaez | 33 | Female | Hispanic or Latino | Unknown | Unknown | Deceased |
| Lorena Morales | 33 | Female | Hispanic or Latino | Unknown | Unknown | Deceased |
| Juan Manuel Garcia | 33 | Male | Hispanic or Latino | Unknown | Unknown | Injured |
| Naomi Olaez | 12 | Female | Hispanic or Latino | Unknown | Student | Injured |
A suspect in a fatal DUI crash
Siharath’s ethnicity and religion may not matter much in the eyes of the law, as he faces serious charges for his alleged involvement in a fatal DUI crash that claimed the lives of three women and injured two others. According to the Pomona Police Department, Siharath was driving an SUV when he collided with another car at the intersection of White Avenue and Phillips Boulevard around 11 p.m. on March 2, 2024. The impact was so severe that the car was split in half, and two of the occupants were ejected from the vehicle.
The victims were identified as Yesenia Olaez, 33, her sister-in-law Alejandra Olaez, 33, and the driver of the car, Lorena Morales, 33. They were pronounced dead at the scene or at the hospital. The other two survivors were Juan Manuel Garcia, 33, Morales’ husband, and Naomi Olaez, 12, Alejandra’s daughter. They were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. The victims were returning from a baby shower when the tragic accident occurred.
Siharath was also injured in the crash and taken to the hospital, where he was arrested on suspicion of felony driving under the influence. He is scheduled to appear in court on March 5, 2024, in Pomona. He could face up to 15 years to life in prison if convicted of the charges.
The crash has sparked outrage and grief among the families and friends of the victims, as well as the Pomona community. A vigil was held on March 3, 2024, at the site of the crash, where dozens of people gathered to pay their respects and demand justice for the victims. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the families with funeral and medical expenses, raising over $20,000 so far.
Victor Siharath has not issued any statement or apology for his alleged role in the crash, and his motive and state of mind remain unknown. His Facebook profile has been flooded with angry and hateful comments from people who blame him for the deaths of the three women. His family and friends have not publicly commented on the case, either.
A human being with a story
Despite the public outrage and condemnation, Victor Siharath is still a human being with a story, a story that may explain, but not excuse, his actions and behavior. What led him to drive under the influence that night? What was he going through in his life? What were his hopes and dreams? What were his struggles and challenges? What were his joys and sorrows? These are some of the questions that may shed some light on his personality and character, beyond the label of a DUI suspect.
Unfortunately, we may never know the answers to these questions, as Siharath’s story may be overshadowed by the tragedy and the trial. However, we can still try to understand him as a fellow human being, not to justify or sympathize with him, but to acknowledge his humanity and complexity. We can also try to empathize with the victims and their families, who have suffered a tremendous loss and pain, and offer them our support and compassion.
Victor Siharath is a Pomona man who made a terrible mistake that cost the lives of three women and changed the lives of many others. He is also a person with a name, a face, a history, and a future. He is not just a suspect, but a human being with a story.
