Trial in triple-fatal crash postponed 1 week
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — It will be at least another week before the case of a man accused of driving impaired in a crash that killed three women is sent out for trial.
Jose de Jesus Velazquez-Gomez, 38, will return to court May 7 to see if his case is assigned to a courtroom. He’s charged with three counts of murder, among other offenses.
Yolanda Godinez, 36, Darli Santiago, 28, and Gabina Santiago de Arias, 56, were declared dead at the scene after the vehicle they were in was hit at about 5:38 a.m. Nov. 3 at the intersection of South Edison and Di Giorgio roads.
Velazquez-Gomez, sole occupant of the other vehicle, told officers he fell asleep while driving. He denied using drugs or drinking before the crash, according to court documents.
A prosecutor, however, said toxicology results revealed methamphetamine in his system.
Velazquez-Gomez’s ex-girlfriend told officers they recently broke up over his suspected meth use. She said he appeared to be hallucinating when he broke into her apartment the morning of the crash.
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