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 24
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


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
Tuesday, Dec 23, 2025
Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley Spreads Holiday Cheer
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.
Tuesday, Dec 23, 2025
NWS Issues Flood, High Wind Warnings for SCV, Southland
The National Weather Service has issued a "Hazardous Weather" warning for the Santa Clarita Valley and Southern California.
Tuesday, Dec 23, 2025
LASD Asks for Help Locating Missing Santa Clarita Man
Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Missing Persons Unit are asking for the public’s help locating at-Risk missing person Drew Barrick Russell.
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
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
Princess Cruises, headquartered in Santa Clarita, embraced a cherished maritime tradition in a uniquely festive way, celebrating a symbolic christening of its Rose Parade float with a ceremonial break of a bottle of Pantalones Organic Tequila.
Princess Cruises Christens Star Princess Tournament of Roses Float
The Golden Globes have ushered in awards season with the announcement of the 2026 nominees across 28 categories. Among this year’s contenders is Pixar’s "Elio," which earned a nomination for Best Motion Picture – Animated.
CalArtian-Directed ‘Elio’ Nominated for 2026 Golden Globe
The National Weather Service has issued a "Hazardous Weather" warning for the Santa Clarita Valley and Southern California.
NWS Issues Flood, High Wind Warnings for SCV, Southland
Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Missing Persons Unit are asking for the public’s help locating at-Risk missing person Drew Barrick Russell.
LASD Asks for Help Locating Missing Santa Clarita Man
1997 - Five bodies found during grading of Northlake development in Castaic; determined to be Jenkins graveyard [story]
reburial
Old Town Newhall Public Library will host "Spice Travels," Friday, Jan. 2, 9:15-9:30 a.m. at 24500 Main St., Santa Clarita, CA 91321.
Jan. 2: Explore Global Cuisine with ‘Spice Travels ‘ at Newhall Library
The California Highway Patrol encourages the public to “brake” the habit of speeding this holiday season. The CHP will launch a Holiday Enforcement Period starting at 6:01 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 24, and ending at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 25.
Dec. 24-25: CHP Launches Holiday Enforcement Period
Volunteers are needed to help clear brush and restore the tread from the existing lower Gates and Twister trails 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, Dec. 27.
Dec. 27: Volunteers Needed for SCV Trail Users Workday
Join InfluenceHER's "Redefining Happiness, a Candid Conversation for the Modern Woman," 4-6 p.m., Friday, Jan. 16 at the Venue Valencia.
Jan. 16: InfluenceHER- Redefining Happiness, A Candid Conversation for the Modern Woman
The Santa Clarita Public Library system has announced that all library branches will close at 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 24, and remain closed on Christmas Day, Thursday, Dec. 25, in observance of Christmas.
Santa Clarita Public Library Holiday Hours
Students pursuing an undergraduate degree in water resource-related fields are invited to apply for the 2026/27 ACWA Edward G. “Jerry” Gladbach Scholarship, offered by the Association of California Water Agencies in partnership with SCV Water. Applications are now being accepted through March 1, 2026.
SCV Water Announces 2026/27 ACWA Edward G. ‘Jerry’ Gladbach Scholarship
Chloe Auble scored a career-high 40 points and Allie Miller came a rebound away from her first career triple-double as The Master's University Women's Basketball team defeated the Bethesda Lion Angels 125-24 in the MacArthur Center.
Lady Mustangs Break Scoring Records in Win
Vallarta Food Enterprises, headquartered in Santa Clarita, has been ordered by a federal court to comply with subpoenas relating to charges of employment discrimination.
Federal Court Orders Vallarta to Comply with EEOC Subpoenas
Burrtec Waste Industries has partnered with the city of Santa Clarita to establish three convenient locations for residents to recycle real holiday trees this season.
Dec. 26-Jan. 10: Recycle Trees, Wreaths at City Drop-Off Locations
The North American Aerospace Defense Command is ready to track Santa on Wednesday, Dec. 24, Christmas Eve, and is celebrating the program’s 70th anniversary.
NORAD Santa Tracker Celebrates 70th Anniversary
1905 - County buys property to build Newhall Jail (now next to city's Old Town Newhall Library) [story]
Old Newhall Jail
The weather might not be "frightful" yet, but Santa Clarita Valley residents may experience a soggy and cold Christmas Day this year. Rain is expected in the SCV beginning Tuesday, Dec. 23 in the evening and continuing into Friday, Dec. 26
Dec. 22: Burn Ban Day for SCV, Rains Start Dec. 23
1910 - Newhall (Auto) Tunnel opens, bypassing Beale's Cut [story]
Newhall Tunnel
SCVNews.com