The trial of Louis Estrada Vasquez, the former tow truck driver
facing vehicular manslaughter charges for killing Gilroyan Sean
Merriman in 2006, is set to start in mid-May.
The trial of Louis Estrada Vasquez, the former tow truck driver facing vehicular manslaughter charges for killing Gilroyan Sean Merriman in 2006, is set to start in mid-May.
Just over three years after Vasquez’s truck skidded on wet roads and crashed into the Caltrans work site where Merriman, 32, was part of a three-man crew repairing potholes on U.S. 101 near Hellyer Avenue in San Jose, attorneys plan to move forward with the long-awaited trial.
“This is a serious case, no question about that,” said Deputy District Attorney Michael Amaral. “I think the reason why it’s taken so long is because is a significant case. With this type of case comes a lot of investigation.”
Vasquez, 44, pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor and could face up to one year in county jail if convicted, former Deputy District Attorney Jeena Jiampetti said.
Amaral expects the trial, which is scheduled for 8:45 a.m. May 19 in Department 24 of the Hall of Justice in San Jose, to last more than a week. The first day will begin with pretrial motions and jury selection.
Pending Deputy Public Defender Heather Harris’ go-ahead and a courtroom appointment, Amaral is ready to proceed with the trial, he said. Vasquez’s trial was postponed several times while the defense collected more evidence from the crash site. Amaral is currently waiting for the statement of an expert the defense has enlisted for the trial.
