Raleigh, N.C. — A judge on Monday denied bond for a man accused of intentionally causing a wreck that killed two siblings Friday evening.

Victoriano Layon, 36, made his first court appearance on two counts of second-degree murder in connection with the fatal crash in Garner that killed Wanda Altman, 52, of Clayton, and Daris Hancock, 49, of Star.

Layon, who according to the Wake County Jail is on suicide watch, also asked for a public defender, saying he didn't have any money.

If convicted, he could face a maximum of more than 40 years on each charge, a judge said.

Police said Altman and Hancock were at the intersection of U.S. Highway 70 and White Oak Road shortly after 6:30 p.m. when Layon rear-ended at 45 mph the Ford Taurus in which they were traveling.

The collision then pushed the Taurus into a 2006 Volkswagen sedan, and both traveled through the intersection for distances of 156 feet and 254 feet, respectively.

Layon then ran from the scene, leaving behind his wife and two children, authorities said. Police found him walking down U.S. Highway 70 at Enterprise Drive Saturday morning.

They called an ambulance because he appeared to be disoriented

Authorities said what they learned from witnesses, including Layon’s family, makes them believe he caused the crash on purpose.

Denise Jackson, who witnessed the crash, also said she had no doubt it was intentional.

"The next thing I knew, he had T-boned the gray car in the side, and this car was crumbled," Jackson, who was on her way home from work when she witnessed the accident. "It was crumpled like paper."

"I want to know what was going on in the truck," she continued. "Why would you race on a busy highway, period? But you had children in the car with you."