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 29
1928 - Little dam victim, thought unidentified & buried in SCV, actually ID'd & buried in Chatsworth [story]
Newhall Cowboys


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
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
1928 - Little dam victim, thought unidentified & buried in SCV, actually ID'd & buried in Chatsworth [story]
Newhall Cowboys
Los Angeles County Public Works is updating the Los Angeles County Bicycle Master Plan.
April 16:  County Bicycle Master Plan Virtual Community Meeting
College of the Canyons mens golf got back on track during its return to conference play on Monday, carding a five-man score of 370 to top the eight-team field at Brookside Golf Course and maintain its unblemished conference mark.
Cougars Win Again, Keep Conference Streak
Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector, reminds property owners that the second installment of the 2023-24 Annual Secured Property Taxes becomes  delinquent if not received by 5 p.m. Pacific Time or United States Postal Service postmarked on or before Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
County Treasurer Reminds Property Owners of April 10 Due Date
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.
SCVEDC 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
SCVNews.com