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September 20
1954 - C-46 cargo plane crashes at Saugus Drunk Farm; Civil Air Patrol chaplains parachute to safety [story]
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rodbennettA Canyon Country man was sentenced to 10 years in state prison Monday for hitting a 53-year-old bicyclist with his car and then fleeing the scene of the crash, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced.

Deputy District Attorney SuSu Scott said Lucas Guidroz, 28, pleaded no contest on Oct. 4 to one count each of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and hit-and-run driving resulting in death.

The defendant struck Rod T. Bennett, a teacher at Arroyo Seco Junior High School, with his car as Bennett rode a bicycle on Placerita Canyon Road in Santa Clarita on May 25, the prosecutor said. The victim died as a result of his injuries. Guidroz turned himself in on May 27.

Case PA086439 was investigated by the California Highway Patrol, Newhall Station.

 

Lucas James Guidroz

Lucas James Guidroz

 

A ghost bike in Bennett's honor continues to mark the location on Placerita Canyon Road where the cyclist lost his life in May. Photo: Ron Kraus

A ghost bike in Bennett’s honor continues to mark the location on Placerita Canyon Road where the cyclist lost his life in May. Photo: Ron Kraus

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29 Comments

  1. Should be for life

  2. That’s it?? For a fatal hit and run. That’s insane!

  3. Mariana Cee says:

    Someone explain this to me. It should be a life for a life. This is complete BS.

  4. Gee Miguel says:

    He was prob dw/duo…. Running lets the liquor put of ur syste, to avoid the dr No driver charge.

  5. Josie Nerone says:

    How sad for this it’s hard to believe

  6. Ralph Green says:

    This county is so light on its hit and runs its no wonder we have so many bad drivers. Makes sense that everyone’s mentality is “I’m better than you” cause when u kill someone for it u get less than 15 years. Way to go

  7. Kathi Cole says:

    This is incomprehensible to me. Am I missing something? Intoxicated, hit and run, 2 days later turns himself in (you know it’s only because they were on to him) and he gets 10 years??? Everyone who knew and loved Mr Bennett gets life!!! So sad.

    • Jason Greil says:

      10 years in the state of California. Which means the driver will automatically get “half time” or also known as 50% of his sentence reduced. So he’s really only serving 5 years.

      But wait there’s more. On the actual time of 5 years he’s serving, the CDCR allows an inmate to get even more time reduced by completing volunteer work, school, job training and of course…good behavior.

      So in total……the driver is really only going to serve about 3-5 years and then he’ll be released on parole for 3 years or less.

      Just some friendly info for you about California’s judicial system. I know how things really turn out because I spent 5 years in prison myself.

  8. Ten years, that’s it???…….Wow!!

  9. Dan Leiner says:

    Do I stir the pot? The defendant is a white male.

  10. 28 year old drunk driver kills a man, only 10 years!?

  11. Dan says:

    I don’t know who determines sentence in a “no contest” situation. Based on what is said in this article, it looks like the D.A.’s office determines the sentence. What a shameful mess.

  12. WMSCV says:

    No not fair to the victim. The court was looking for a way to clear another case, save court costs and move on. Get a plea deal at any cost. With good behavior he’ll be home soon too continue his life. The family and friends will always suffer from this tragic loss. RIP Rod.

    • SCVNews.com says:

      Even sooner if Proposition 57 passes. Vehicular manslaughter is one of the “nonviolent” offenses that is early-release eligible.

  13. TRAVIS says:

    That’s California for you . hell he might even get out early due to over population

  14. Such a travesty. ???

    My heart is with his widow. Praying

  15. WOW,ONLY 10 YEARS WHAT A SHAME…

  16. Erick Reyna Cristian Lagunas

  17. Footballer99 says:

    If he was black he would have gotten a more serious sentence.

  18. J Stephan says:

    Jason Greil, your comment was 100% correct. In fact, I learned that the driver will be getting out of jail in 13 days from today (1/31/2019)!!! Outrageous.

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