Man is accused of murder after striking and killing another man with his SUV while driving drunk in Pasadena on Friday night, authorities said. Martin Cesar Villagomez was arrested immediately after the deadly collision, which took place about 11:30 p.m. at Washington Boulevard and Palm Terrace.
He has prior conviction for driving with a blood-alcohol level above .08% in 2003 and 1999, as well as a conviction for reckless driving in 1995, according to Los Angeles County Superior Court records.
He was at the wheel of an SUV headed west on Washington Boulevard when he struck a 30-year-old man who was crossing the street at Palm Terrace, Pasadena police Lt. Anthony Russo said. The intersection is not regulated by any lights, signage or marked crosswalks.
Paramedics pronounced the victim dead at the scene, Russo said. His identity was not released Saturday pending notification of family. Villagomez remained at the scene and cooperated with officers, the lieutenant said. Investigators determined he was under the influence of alcohol and arrested him.
California DUI law allows for repeat offenders to be charged with murder if subsequent DUI-related collisions result in death. Bail was set at $2 million pending his initial appearance in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
In New York, A school bus driver f is facing multiple criminal charges after police say she had a blood-alcohol content over the legal limit while transporting a group of students.
Lashonda Griffin apparently made an unauthorized stop at a local McDonald’s in Rochester to pick up her breakfast while she had six students from the Gates Chili Central School District onboard her bus, according to WROC-TV. News of the incident was shared in a release issued on Friday.
The district's statement said They are very sorry that these students and families in this community have been impacted by the unfathomable actions of one person. Please remember this was an act of one employee. The district is proud of its bus drivers and their safety record of transporting thousands of students each day without incident. Out of an abundance of caution, the district is taking time to review safety protocols with all drivers.
