header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 28
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir


wyattsavaikie2012[KHTS] A 74-year-old man who has been charged with the death of 14-year-old Saugus resident Wyatt Savaikie pleaded not guilty Thursday.

Ralph August Steger, of Canyon Country, plead not guilty to one misdemeanor count of vehicular manslaughter and one infraction each of unsafe speed and failure to stop at a red light at the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Santa Clarita Branch, said Ricardo Santiago, spokesman for the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office.

Steger allegedly struck and killed Savaikie on July 16 as Savaikie was crossing the street in a marked crosswalk near Bouquet Canyon Road and Seco Canyon Road. Savaikie was pronounced dead at the scene.

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

Steger will appear in court for a pretrial conference on Jan. 26, 2016.

“He was beautiful,” Wyatt’s mother, Teresa Savaikie, said in an interview with SCV News in July. “We are so honored to have had the privilege of having him in our lives, as our Gentle Giant, our precious son.”

Wyatt was a kid who loved skateboarding, playing soccer and X-box, who hated spaghetti and loved pizza, said Teresa Savaikie.

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

21 Comments

  1. Every person accused of a crime is entitled to due process. This is such an incredibly sad situation.

  2. Shame on him for being so reckless

  3. How quickly we forget to let justice be done. Until this man is convicted, please give him due process. So sad and tragic for so many people. Don’t let the anger of the tragedy cause conviction in your heart. God bless all of the loved ones who have been impacted by the tragedy.

  4. I think about this tragedy often. So, so sorry for Wyatts family and loved ones. Not easy for anyone involved , I’m sure. I pray you find peace.

  5. What explanation can this man provide that justifies reckless driving and running a red light?

  6. Eric Baker Eric Baker says:

    Hated spaghetti? That’s crazy talk!

  7. Tina Lilly Tina Lilly says:

    Omg!!!! How sad. I drive by the sight every day & it brings tears to my eyes! He did wrong just admitt it!!!! R.I.p Wyatt ♥ & prayers to his family ♥

  8. Gee Hawd Gee Hawd says:

    So sad for both parties

  9. Ralph Green Ralph Green says:

    Hes pleading not guilty? Running a red light at an unsafe speed and reckless driving is Wyatt’s fault? I’m sorry old man but if u don’t go to jail like a big boy and admit you’re wrong then u got other issues that should constitute in your license revoked and issued a straight jacket at your local mental hospital. We don’t need u on the road

  10. Laura Conant Laura Conant says:

    Not guilty for killing a young boy. He’s a coward POS. I bet if it was someone he loved, he would want to see that person rot in prison.

  11. I’m sure this man is remorseful. His lawyers advised him to plead not guilty, as do all lawyers of all defendants. It’s sad that it happened, but I’m sure this man never intended to hit him. This man is 74, maybe there’s more too it.

  12. Kim Too says:

    Kim,

    If you want to use his age of 74 as possibly having “more too it,” then th fact is he shouldn’t be driving period. Age is no excuse. This man also has a prior ticket for failing to stop at a red light according to court papers. It is inexcusable.

  13. His license needs to be revoked permanently to say the least!!?I think about this family every day when I’m passing that intersection. I pass it 6 times a day.??

  14. I said it before and I say it again, this is a tragedy for both families. If Jesus was here what would he do?
    This little boys family will never get their boy back, and this older man will carry this with him for the rest of his life; never forgiving himself, what worse punishment and guilt he has to carry.

    I know you might say, he is pleaing not guilty; for his case it’s best for him.

    May God touch every heart involved.

  15. Silvie Faust Silvie Faust says:

    Sad for both parties indeed..

  16. I just want this to be over for my neighbors. Sweet, kind Wyatt is watching over his dear family. I’m sorry that this person doesn’t have the backbone to own up to his crime, to prevent any further pain to that poor family. Dear Lord, please bless the Savaikie family during this stressful time.

  17. Tracy Humble says:

    Missing u

  18. anon says:

    not to mention he should be pressed with hit-and-run charges because he fled from the scene. even though he eventually came back, it’s still a crime. he should be convicted and charged for the crime he has committed.

  19. Mike Savaikie says:

    WE , the Family, received the life sentence. Steiger did 16 days. He also was part of killing his daughter in the 70’s. There’s no room for revenge or hate. Every thought is filled with missing Wyatt. He was a great kid. Caring, funny, loving. The world could use more people like Wyatt.

Leave a Comment


SCV NewsBreak
LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
Thursday, Mar 28, 2024
April 16: FYI Seeks Volunteers To Pair With Local Foster Youth
Local nonprofit Fostering Youth Independence is seeking “Allies” to support Santa Clarita youth who are aging out of the L.A. County foster care system.
Thursday, Mar 28, 2024
California Announces $25 Million in Awards for Youth Mental Health
To support the mental health of California's young people, the California Department of Public Health awarded $25 million to 28 tribal and community-based organizations across the state.
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
Local nonprofit Fostering Youth Independence is seeking “Allies” to support Santa Clarita youth who are aging out of the L.A. County foster care system.
April 16: FYI Seeks Volunteers To Pair With Local Foster Youth
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health today unveiled the latest L.A. County Health Survey, which gathers vital data on health behaviors, conditions, neighborhood settings, and the needs of L.A .County residents, informing future public health policies and programs.
Public Health Unveils the 2023 L.A. County Health Survey Findings
Due to the projected rain forecast, Eggstravaganza will now be held indoors at the Canyon Country Community Center beginning promptly at 10 a.m. on March 30.
March 30: Eggstravaganza Now Being Held Indoors at Canyon Country Community Center
To support the mental health of California's young people, the California Department of Public Health awarded $25 million to 28 tribal and community-based organizations across the state.
California Announces $25 Million in Awards for Youth Mental Health
The College of the Canyons Athletic Department will host a dedication ceremony to unveil the Michele Jenkins Softball Team Room in honor of the longtime board member and ardent softball program supporter’s nearly 40 years of service to the district.
April 16: COC to Host Michele Jenkins Team Room Dedication Ceremony
PFLAG Santa Clarita has announced the establishment of the Peggy and Jeff Stabile PFLAG SCV Scholarship. The scholarship will provide financial assistance to LGBTQIA+ students pursuing higher education and committed to advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights and promoting diversity and inclusion.
PFLAG SCV Announces Stabile PFLAG Scholarship
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDEC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
The first Music Jam Session at The MAIN was held on Thursday, Feb. 22 and was a hit. Come out and join in for the next one on Thursday, March 28 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
March 28: The MAIN to Host Musicians’ Jam Session
Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Huntsman of the Office of Inspector General has issued a report entitled "Tenth Report Back on Implementing Body-Worn Cameras in Los Angeles County."
Office of Inspector General Issues Latest Report on LASD Body Cams
College of the Canyons women's tennis played to a convincing 7-2 conference win over Ventura College on Moica to strengthen its potential playoff resume.
Canyons Closes Out Ventura 7-2 in Final Home Match
Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce with the Latino Business Alliance at the Cinco de Mayo Networking Celebration on Tuesday, May 7.
May 7: Latino Business Alliance Cinco de Mayo Celebration
SCVNews.com