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


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

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.

29 Comments

  1. Should be for life

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

  3. Mariana Cee Mariana Cee says:

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

  4. Gee Miguel 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 Josie Nerone says:

    How sad for this it’s hard to believe

  6. Ralph Green 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 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 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 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.

Leave a Comment


SCV NewsBreak
LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
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.
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
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.
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
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."
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
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
The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control is hosting March Meowness promotion where all cat adoptions are just $15 from now until April 9.
Adopt a Cat During March Meowness at Castaic Animal Center
California State University, Northridge is partnering with the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians and the Tataviam Land Conservancy to battle the impact of climate change in disadvantaged communities throughout the San Fernando Valley by establishing “urban forests.”
CSUN Partners with Fernandeño Tataviam Band to Build Urban Forests
Join the Santa Clarita Artists Association on Monday, April 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 23630 Valencia Blvd., Valencia, CA 91355, for the SCAA monthly meeting and guest demonstrator.
April 15: SCAA Presents Debbie Abshear Watercolor Demo
Residents are invited to join members of the Santa Clarita City Council for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the addition of Santa Clarita's 38th park, Skyline Ranch Park, 18355 Skyline Ranch Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351, to the Santa Clarita parks system on Saturday, April 6, at 10 a.m.
April 6: Grand Opening for Santa Clarita’s 38th Park
The Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center is preparing for the annual fundraising event, Celebrity Waiter, with the theme “California Dreamin’” on Saturday, April 27 at Bella Vida, 27180 Golden Valley Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351.
Table Sponsorships Still Available for Celebrity Waiter Dinner
Springtime in Santa Clarita brings not only vibrant blooms and opportunities to embrace the outdoors with warmer weather, but also an array of free, family-friendly events and this Saturday is no exception.
Ken Striplin | A Fun, Festive, Egg-Filled Day
SCVNews.com