Posted on 03/01/2006 11:08:15 AM PST by NormsRevenge
A driver who was allegedly drunk when he struck and killed a California Highway Patrol officer last weekend pleaded innocent to vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, authorities said.
Domingo Esqueda, 20, could face up to 16 years in prison if convicted of killing motorcycle officer John Bailey, 36, who was married and had four children. Esqueda was arraigned Tuesday in San Bernardino County Superior Court in Victorville.
Authorities say Bailey was driving home to Adelanto Saturday night when he pulled over another motorist for investigation of drunk driving on Interstate 15 near Hesperia.
Bailey was talking with the motorist on the side of the road when he was struck by Esqueda, who had been driving on the shoulder, authorities said. Esqueda's car then struck the vehicle that Bailey had stopped, officials said.
The driver of that car, Francisco Trujillo, 52, suffered moderate injuries. No charges have been filed against him.
Esqueda was being held at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga on $1 million bail.
Immigration authorities believe Esqueda, a Mexican national, may be in the U.S. illegally and have placed a "hold" on him, said Lori Haley, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman. He will be turned over to immigration officials after his criminal proceedings.
Bailey was the sixth CHP officer in the last five months to die in the line of duty. The string of deaths prompted CHP Commissioner Michael Brown on Monday to order field commanders to review safety procedures with their officers.
"Mexican national" ping
They're only killing the troopers that Americans refuse to kill.
They should throw the book at him !
Every illegal alien is a predator.
If this illegal had a fixed address or an under-the-table day-laborer job, his illegal status would be "upgraded" in the papers to "recent immigrant".
Maybe 16 yrs for killing an officer? An officer who leaves behind a wife and four kids?
Why turn him over to INS? Will he be convicted and then deported to freedom?
I know that stretch of fwy. They might want to widen the emergency lane. It isn't really safe to change a tire. We saw this on last night's news, and we remarked that they pussyfooted around the driver's nationality. I'll have to let him know that he was right.
Prayers for the officer's family.
No, if found guilty they should fry his ass.
Oh but that is the 9th and he'll probably be found to have had a tough childhood and be given a new house at taxpayer expense.
The continuing saga of the dreadful impact of illegal immigration...
Four kids are without a father because our Government will not secure our Souther border. May they next tears be theirs.
All of this could have been avoided had they provided the illegal with a valid California drivers license. He would carry insurance and never drive drunk. /sac
placed a "hold" on him, said Lori Haley, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman
"hold"? Here illegally. Drunk driving. Killing an CHP officer doing his duty. I think a "rope" would be better!
Still not there but getting closer wouldn't you say? We're well past guilt by association. As many tried to explain, there is a pattern in California, far from fool proof, but usually reasonably accurate.
Innocent until proven guilty.
Just drinking the "Firewater" Americans won't drink!
Rest-In-Peace:
John Bailey
"...Bailey, who had recently returned from a 14-month tour in Iraq as part of the California National Guard, was the sixth CHP officer in the last five months to die in the line of duty."
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-chp1mar01,1,7756565.story?coll=la-headlines-pe-california
True, but it appears established that Esqueda is, in fact, a Mexican. Next step is determination of his legal status in the US.
I'll ping you if the results of the ICE investigation are made public. Probably will take over a year if published at all.
See you in a year : )
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