‘All they ever were was reduced to memories:’ Trial in triple-fatal Lamont crash begins
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Three women died because Jose De Jesus Velazquez-Gomez used methamphetamine, a prosecutor said.
The Jeep Wrangler driven by Velazquez-Gomez T-boned a car carrying Yolanda Godinez, 36, Darli Santiago, 28, and Gabina Santiago de Arias, 56, as they carpooled to their farmworker jobs in Lamont.
All three were declared dead at the scene of the Nov. 3 crash.
“All they ever were was reduced to memories,” prosecutor William Schlaerth told jurors as opening statements were presented Wednesday at Velazquez-Gomez’s trial. “All they ever would be was reduced to dreams.”
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“All of that” — he paused to snap his fingers — “in an instant.”
Toxicology results showed meth in the 38-year-old Velazquez-Gomez’s system, Schlaerth said. He has a prior case of driving under the influence.
Schlaerth said he’ll be asking for guilty verdicts on all counts, including three counts of second-degree murder.
Deputy Public Defender Nathalie Sahakian said the prosecution’s case is built on circumstantial evidence and assumptions. She said the evidence will show the blood test results aren’t conclusive or reliable in determining Velazquez-Gomez was impaired.
“The prosecution must be held to their burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt to each and every element of each crime alleged in this case,” Sahakian said.
She said she’ll be asking for not guilty verdicts to counts of murder and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. She said this case, tragic as it is, rises only to the level of vehicular manslaughter.
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The trial is expected to last three weeks.
Velazquez-Gomez, sole occupant of the Jeep, told officers he fell asleep while driving when the crash occurred at the intersection of Di Giorgio and South Edison roads. He denied using drugs or drinking, according to court documents.
But California Highway Patrol investigators detected signs of possible impairment. Breath tests were negative for alcohol, but a blood test showed meth in his system, according to the documents.
Velazquez-Gomez’s ex-girlfriend told investigators they broke up over his suspected meth use. She said they lived together about 18 months before she kicked him out after he failed to get clean.
Early on the morning of the crash, she said, Velazquez-Gomez broke into her apartment. He appeared to be hallucinating.
The ex said she she persuaded him to leave, but he returned at 3:33 a.m. and didn’t drive away until she threatened to call police. She later heard about the deadly crash.
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