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
December 27
1936 - Passenger plane crash in Rice Canyon kills all 12 aboard [story]
victim recovery


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 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.

Leave a Comment


SCV NewsBreak
LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
Saturday, Dec 27, 2025
Sunny Weather for SCV, Cool Temps, Roads Reopen
The National Weather Service reports that the Santa Clarita Valley was drenched with nearly nine inches of rain from the atmospheric river that brought a soggy Christmas week to most of California.
Saturday, Dec 27, 2025
CHP Christmas Holiday Enforcement Period Results
During the 2025 Christmas Holiday Enforcement Period, California Highway Patrol officers were on duty across the state, responding not only to enforcement needs but also to significant winter weather impacts, including snow, flooding and mudslides.
Friday, Dec 26, 2025
Sand Canyon Road Closed Due to Road Damage, Rock Slides
The city of Santa Clarita has issued a traffic alert for Sand Canyon Road.
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
The National Weather Service reports that the Santa Clarita Valley was drenched with nearly nine inches of rain from the atmospheric river that brought a soggy Christmas week to most of California.
Sunny Weather for SCV, Cool Temps, Roads Reopen
The city of Santa Clarita is seeking five artists to create artwork on five 60-inches by 60-inches canvases that will be featured above the Valencia Library Branch's children's area for two years, May 18, 2026 through May 23, 2028.
City Seeks ‘Under the Sea’ Artwork for Valencia Library
During the 2025 Christmas Holiday Enforcement Period, California Highway Patrol officers were on duty across the state, responding not only to enforcement needs but also to significant winter weather impacts, including snow, flooding and mudslides.
CHP Christmas Holiday Enforcement Period Results
Bring passport applications and all required documents to the Passport Community Fair, 1-5:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9 at the Old Town Newhall Library.
Jan. 9: Passport Community Fair at Newhall Library
1936 - Passenger plane crash in Rice Canyon kills all 12 aboard [story]
victim recovery
The city of Santa Clarita has issued a traffic alert for Sand Canyon Road.
Sand Canyon Road Closed Due to Road Damage, Rock Slides
Property Management Professionals will hold its grand opening and ribbon cutting 4-4:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29 at 25124 Springfield Court #220, Valencia, CA 91355.
Jan. 29: Property Management Professionals Grand Opening, Ribbon Cutting
The California Highway Patrol is highlighting new public safety laws passed during this year’s legislative session and signed by Governor Gavin Newsom that, unless otherwise stated, take effect Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.
CHP Highlights Public Safety Laws Taking Effect 2026
Kaiser Permanente has awarded a $12,000 Community Health Grant to Bridge to Home to help address homelessness in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Kaiser Permanente Presents $12,000 Grant to Bridge to Home
Boys and girls Foothill League soccer teams have been on holiday schedule this past week, with some teams taking time off and others playing non-league matches. Consequently, league standings haven’t changed much.
Foothill League Soccer: Holiday Non-League Matches
College of the Canyons women's basketball notched another mark in the win column, as the Cougars were able to stack a second straight road victory 54-46 at Oxnard College on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
Cougars Notch Another Victory, 54-46 at Oxnard College
1873 - Vasquez gang raids Kingston in (now) Kings County; ties up townspeople, makes off with $2,500 in cash and jewels [story]
Kingston
The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station has issued the following traffic alerts: Due to heavy rains, the westbound right lane is closed on Soledad Canyon Road between Camp Plenty Road and Langside Avenue.
SCV Sheriff’s Station Issues Traffic Alert on Soledad Canyon Road
Fostering Youth Independence’s recent Charlie Brown Holiday party was attended by dozens of local foster youth and their volunteer Allies.
Fostering Youth Independence Hosts Holiday PJ Party
The National Weather Service as issued the following alerts for the Santa Clarita Valley. Flood Watch until Dec. 26, 4 p.m. PST, High Wind Warning until Dec. 25, 3 p.m. PST.
NWS Issues Flood Watch for SCV Through Friday
1852 - Acton gold mine owner & California Gov. Henry Tifft Gage born in New York [story]
Henry Gage
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger is urging residents to remain vigilant as a powerful storm system moves through Los Angeles County, bringing periods of heavy rain and rapidly changing conditions.
Barger Urges Residents to Stay Alert, Follow Evacuation Orders
Thirteen suspects were arrested, and more than $800,000 in stolen merchandise was recovered following a coordinated, multi-agency operation targeting an organized retail theft network operating across Northern California.
CHP Makes Multiple Arrests in Organized Retail Theft Investigation
The California State Transportation Agency today announced a new joint effort by two of its departments, the Department of Motor Vehicles and California Highway Patrol, to curb excessive speeding and prevent deadly crashes.
Pilot Program to Crack Down on Extreme Speeding
The city of Santa Clarita invites the community to heat up the holiday season at the Holiday Spice Salsa Edition on Saturday, Dec. 27, at the Canyon Country Community Center, located at 18410 Sierra Highway Santa Clarita, CA 91351.
Dec. 27: Holiday Spice Salsa Edition at Canyon Country Community Center
1965 - Signal newspaper owner Scott Newhall shows up for a duel (of words) with rival Canyon Country newspaper publisher Art Evans, who no-shows and folds his paper soon after [story]
headline
As winter storms enter Los Angeles County, the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control urges pet owners to take necessary precautions in light of the significant storms expected to last for five days.
DACC Urges Pet Owners to Prioritize Safety Ahead of Storm
Brayden Miner scored 31 points and Rylan Starr had 24 as The Master's University men's basketball team crushed Bethesda University 145-59 The MacArthur Center.
Season’s Best Offensive Performance Leads TMU Over Bethesda
From surprise Santa arrivals to stacks of gifts waiting for young hands, the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley delivered holiday cheer on a large scale this season, reaching hundreds of children and teens throughout the Santa Clarita Valley, including Clubhouses in Canyon Country, Newhall, Val Verde and Castaic.
Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley Spreads Holiday Cheer
SCVNews.com