Man Accused in Fatal Hit and Run in Chula Vista Ordered to Stand Trail

May 2, 2011 - Chula Vista, Calif.  - A man accused of killing a pedestrian on December 25 in a hit and run in Chula Vista has been ordered to stand trial, according to a report at 10news.com.

The victim, a 54-year-old homeless woman known as Robin O'Quinn and Robin O'Quinn Fortson, was attempting to cross a street in Chula Vista on Christmas Day when 23-year-old Angel Rodrigo Gutierrez struck her. The accident occurred around 8:30 p.m. in the 1200 block of Third Avenue, Chula Vista police said.

After a hearing on April 18, Francis Devaney, a South Bay judge, ruled that Gutierrez will be tried for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and leaving the scene. If convicted, he will face nearly 10 years in prison.

Gutierrez also faces charges of driving under the influence causing great bodily injury, said Cally Bright, deputy district attorney.

At the April 18 hearing, testimony revealed that Gutierrez had drunk approximately 10 beers before the accident, according to Bright. Officers arrested him on December 26 shortly after 2:30 a.m. His blood alcohol level was .29, which is far above the legal limit of .08, Bright said.

It is unknown what Gutierrez did between the time of the serious accident and his arrest. Police found a Pontiac after a witness gave them a partial license plate number, and Gutierrez was then taken into custody. His next court date is May 3, when he will be arraigned.

Negligent actions such as driving under the influence can lead to death and serious injuries. If you or a loved one has been the victim of another driver's negligence, you should consult with a San Diego accident lawyer.

According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 3,081 traffic fatalities in California in 2009.

Occasionally, our firm will publish news stories about serious or fatal accidents in our coverage area in order to raise awareness about the types of crashes that can occur in San Diego and elsewhere in our region.

Some of the most common types of motor vehicle accidents include: 

• single-vehicle crashes;
• crashes involving speeding;
• crashes involving large trucks; and
• rollover accidents. 

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