Authorities in California on Friday arrested a driver who has three prior convictions for her alleged role in the death of an 88-year-old man.
A crash involving a Land Rover SUV and a Ford Transit van happened in the Laguna Beach area at about 6:15 p.m. local time on Jan. 31, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD).
The Land Rover driver was identified as 48-year-old Dana Point resident Serene Francie Rosenberg, known as Serene Vernon in her workplace as the president of OCMBC Inc., a major non-QM lender.
Vernon was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and was booked for murder and DUI causing injury, OCSD reported. Vernon has three prior convictions, according to a report from CBS News.
Per CBS, Melvin Joseph Weibel of Dana Point, an 88-year-old male passenger of the van, was pronounced dead by paramedics at the scene. The van’s driver, whose name was not identified, was taken to a nearby hospital and treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
On Sunday evening, OCMBC issued a press release that addressed the crash and expressed sympathy for the parties involved. The company announced that Vernon has been placed on administrative leave while John Hamel, its former chief capital markets officer, has assumed the permanent role of president.
“This has been a difficult time for everyone affected by this tragic event, and our hearts go out to those impacted,” Rabi Aziz, CEO of OCMBC, said in a statement. “I have full confidence in John Hamel and our experienced leadership team to guide the company forward while upholding our standards of excellence and dedication to our clients and partners.”
Founded in 2001, California-headquartered OCMBC originates in the wholesale, retail and correspondent channels. It is licensed in 48 states and the District of Columbia and does business under the names LoanStream Mortgage, Lending Pros, Forward Mortgage and Jet Alliance Mortgage. In late August 2024, the company acquired defunct retail lender HomeStar Financial Corp.
