Posted on 09/20/2026 6:08:54 AM PDT by TheDon
CARLSBAD, Calif. — A judge denied bail Friday for the man accused of fatally striking a Carlsbad mother of three while driving under the influence and fleeing the scene.
Fernando Saldana, 26, of Escondido pleaded not guilty to murder, gross vehicular manslaughter, DUI causing injury or death, and leaving the scene of a collision resulting in injury or death. He was also driving on a suspended license at the time of the crash, prosecutors said.
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A judge ordered that Saldana's face be blurred for broadcast, but his supporters and Wheyland's saw him in person for the first time since the crash.
Prosecutors say Wheyland was crossing Carlsbad Boulevard with her husband and 12-year-old son around 7:45 p.m. on Sept. 15 when she turned to call out to her son and was struck by Saldana's vehicle in the roadway.
According to Carlsbad police, Saldana fled the scene and abandoned his car on Oak Avenue, where officers found damage and evidence matching the collision.
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Prosecutors said Saldana's blood alcohol level was 0.084 when tested several hours after the crash.
Deputy District Attorney Matthew Starr said this is not Saldana's first DUI. Records show he completed probation for 2023 misdemeanor DUI conviction two months earlier through a diversion program that included MADD classes and a Watson advisement, a formal warning that driving under the influence and killing someone can result in a murder charge.
"Everyone who is convicted of a DUI is read that advisement, so they are on notice," Starr said. "In the event they [drive under the influence again], the potential charge is murder."
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If convicted, Saldana faces 15 years to life in prison plus an additional four years. He is scheduled to return to court at the end of the month.
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(Excerpt) Read more at cbs8.com ...
Translation”: “illegal”?
We need to ban vehicles.
Too dangerous for humans, because a few drink and do drugs and don’t care about others
Like guns.
And missiles.
And Big Macs.
And sugar drinks.
Agree, likely illegal.
Odd the judge ordered the killer’s face blurred.
So sez Nurse Bloomberg.
Curious that California gives a “warning” to drunk drivers that they can face murder charges for committing murder. In which country of immigrant origin is it legal to drive drunk, and kill someone? What happened to “ignorance of the law is no excuse”?
Does everyone get a free pass for their first arrest on every type of crime? “Next time you rob and beat someone to death you could be prosecuted for murder.”
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