HOLLISTER
– The San Benito County District Attorney’s Office charged a
Gilroy man with second-degree murder for his role in a fatal
accident on Fairview Road Saturday that hit close to home.
HOLLISTER – The San Benito County District Attorney’s Office charged a Gilroy man with second-degree murder for his role in a fatal accident on Fairview Road Saturday that hit close to home.
A stoic Robert Orbuena, 41, stood almost motionless in San Benito County Superior Court Tuesday afternoon as Judge Steven Sanders read the charges against the 41-year-old man.
Orbuena was charged with gross vehicular manslaughter along with second-degree murder for the death of Joseph Judnick of Salinas, according to court documents.
If he is tried and convicted of the charges, Orbuena could be sentenced to 25 years to life in prison with the possibility of parole, according to the state penal code.
Police said Orbuena has a prior conviction for a similar driving offense dating back to the early 1990s.
However, the deadly collision on Fairview Road devastated a local family. Judnick, 48, was the brother of long-time local volunteer and school board member Judy Rider.
“This is quite a tragedy for us,” Rider said. “We’re all kind of in a state of shock right now.”
She said her brother was an experienced motorcycle rider and was taking what should have been a routine ride Saturday to try out a motorcycle.
“The Fourth of July will never be the same for our family,” Rider said.
“His wife is trying hard to stay strong, but she is really hurt by this,” Rider added.
She said her son also was deeply hurt by his uncle’s tragic death.
“Because he was riding my son’s motorcycle when it happened,” Rider said.
The 4:25 p.m. accident happened when Judnick was driving a 2002 Harley-Davidson motorcycle southbound on Fairview Road at an unknown rate of speed, the CHP said.
As Judnick approached the Spring Grove Road intersection, a 1987 Dodge Ram Van, driven by Orbuena, made a left turn in front of Judnick, the CHP said.
Orbuena told officers that he could see the motorcycle approaching about 150 yards away.
Judnick slammed on his brakes to avoid the Dodge, but skidded forward and struck the side of the van, the CHP said.
Judnick sustained severe head and body injuries in the collision and was taken by ambulance to Hazel Hawkins Hospital where, despite life-saving efforts, he later died, the CHP said.
Orbuena was arrested and taken to San Benito County Jail, where he is currently being held.
Rider and her family are grappling with a mass of emotions as they try to adhere to their religious beliefs not to wish ill toward Orbuena.
At the same time they are hopeful that justice will be served.
“Hopefully he will be put away and not able to hurt anyone else,” Rider said.
