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May 10
1877 - Newhall School District formed, upon petition of J.F. Powell and 47 others [story]
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wyattsavaikie2012A 74-year-man is expected to appear in court Thursday after being charged with causing the death of 14-year-old Saugus resident Wyatt Savaikie as he crossed the street in a marked crosswalk this past July, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office officials.

Ralph August Steger, of Canyon Country, faces one misdemeanor count of vehicular manslaughter and one infraction each of unsafe speed and failure to stop at a red light. Case 5NW02799 was filed on Nov. 3.

Arraignment is scheduled in Department 3 of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Santa Clarita Branch.

On July 16, victim Wyatt Savaikie, 14, was crossing the street in a marked crosswalk near Bouquet Canyon and Seco Canyon roads when the defendant allegedly failed to stop at the red light and struck the boy who was pronounced dead at the scene, prosecutors said.

If convicted as charged, Steger faces one year in county jail and $1,000 fine.

The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Santa Clarita Station.

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21 Comments

  1. Rest in peace sweet boy

  2. So sad.. Thoughts are with his family.

  3. Erin says:

    Why such a short sentence. He ran a red light. This wasn’t accidental.

  4. Tina Lilly says:

    Unfair!!!! He took a boys life!!! He needs to spend the rest of his life in jail Not a year!! R.I.p. wyatt!! —♥♥

  5. Stacy Brown says:

    Wow, just one year?!?

  6. One year?! And then back on the road to drive again?

  7. Matt Hess says:

    Is he the kid who was skateboarding across bouquet x seco?

  8. Laura Conant says:

    A sweet boy gone too soon by an driver that was in a hurry. I hope the DA doesn’t let the old guy see our streets anymore.

    • Hardin Rich says:

      Wow, you’ve just got to love the way some here act as if they know all the facts and don’t give a rats a.. that there has not been a trial yet. If it was accidental and involved you or yours, I bet your tone would a whole lot different.

  9. Mark says:

    Judges should be responsible to Public Questioning. Why such a light sentence?

  10. Mark says:

    Will the Old Geezer get out early for good behavior?

  11. Shirley says:

    I don’t care if he is 74, he needs to spend the rest of his life in jail. At his age should he not know better? RIP young man.

  12. Roger says:

    Let’s wait for the trial, please.

  13. Kristina Joy says:

    I just saw this happen in court while I am sitting here awaiting arraignment. Apparently his driving privilege was never revoked, the judge was shocked. His sentencing was extended to a later date. Crazy.

    • eluzabeth says:

      1000 bucks and a year in jail for exceeding the speed limit and running a red light… A friend of his brother was at my house after it happened. The word was he admitted at the scene to texting on his phone and didn’t notice the light had changed. His driving privileges should be eliminated, he should pay way more than 1000 bucks, and he should be under house arrest until he dies. No sense spending tax payer dollars to feed this jerk.

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