The tow truck driver whose truck skidded on slippery roads and
crashed into a highway work site, killing a Gilroy man, will wait
two months to stand trial for vehicular manslaughter while the
prosecution awaits expert reports gathered by the defense.
The tow truck driver whose truck skidded on slippery roads and crashed into a highway work site, killing a Gilroy man, will wait two months to stand trial for vehicular manslaughter while the prosecution awaits expert reports gathered by the defense.
Louis Estrada Vasquez, 44, pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor and could face up to one year in county jail if convicted, Deputy District Attorney Jeena Jiampetti said.
Sean Merriman, 32, was part of a three-man Caltrans crew repairing potholes on U.S. 101 near Hellyer Avenue in San Jose, April 4, 2006, when Vasquez’s tow truck skidded on wet roads and crashed into the work site, killing him.
Vasquez and his then-employer, Ponzini’s Community Garage of Morgan Hill, face a civil suit brought on by the Merriman family, charging negligence. Attorneys for the plaintiff and defendant met earlier this month for a trial setting conference in the civil suit but the case was continued. Robert Bohn, attorney for the Merriman family in the civil suit, said a tentative settlement has been reached though the terms are still being negotiated. He declined to comment on the terms of the settlement until they have been finalized.
The most recent delay comes because the Public Defender’s Office has retained an expert for the trial and the prosecution is waiting for that expert’s report, said Amy Cornell, public information officer for the Office of the District Attorney. The criminal case has been continued to 8:45 a.m. March 23 in Department 24 at the Hall of Justice in San Jose.
