An Apple employee has been charged with murder following a car crash outside the tech company’s headquarters in Cupertino, California, that resulted in the death of a two-year-old girl. Investigators said that 38-year-old Eric Chen Su had been traveling at 100 mph when he struck another vehicle, but deputies on the scene claimed that Su’s response was “inconsiderate” and “insensitive.”
The crash occurred shortly after noon on Friday, November 6, according to CBS News. The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office said that the collision was between two cars: a Chevrolet Trax and a Toyota Camry. When police arrived on the scene, they found a woman and child with serious injuries in the Trax. They were both taken to hospital, where the child, a two-year-old girl later identified as Riley Howard, died from her injuries.
The woman in the Trax, who was identified as Riley’s babysitter, survived the crash with head and spinal injuries, while the Camry driver, later identified as Su, only sustained minor injuries.
Su was initially arrested on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter, but on Tuesday was charged with the murder of the two-year-old girl as evidence allegedly showed that he had been going 100 mph, which prosecutors claimed was four times the posted speed limit, at the time of the crash.
Witnesses claimed Eric Chen Su expressed strange behavior
SFGate reported that witnesses at the scene described Su’s behavior as “erratic and insensible” as he exited the vehicle. Deputies also described his behavior as “inconsiderate” and “insincere,” claiming that he “did not show remorse” after learning of the child’s death.
Su was transported to a local hospital with a broken finger following the crash. Afterwards, he was taken to the sheriff’s headquarters to be interviewed, although the interview was later canceled due to Su’s “demeanour.”
During the ride in the police car, Su made “incoherent” and “spontaneous” statements and refused to get out of the police vehicle and walk into the building, according to the sheriff’s office report. The Apple employee was subsequently booked into the Santa Clara County Jail and, as of Wednesday, was still booked without bail.
Su faces two felony counts: murder and assault with a deadly weapon, as per KGO-TV. His next court appearance will be on November 30, when he is expected to enter his plea.
Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Rob Baker told KGO-TV that he believes the charges against Su are warranted: “Unquestionably, murder was the appropriate charge,” he said. Meanwhile, in a news release from the sheriff’s office, Capt. Neil Valenzuela said the crash was a “heartbreaking tragedy for everyone affected.”
An Apple spokesperson has offered condolences to the community, although they did not give details about Su’s employment.
Published: Nov 13, 2026 12:00 pm