Tom Coleman, 33 |
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KTLA) -- A judge sentenced a 21-year-old Redlands man Monday for his part in a pursuit crash that claimed the life of California Highway Patrol motorcycle officer Tom Coleman.
San Bernardino Superior Court Judge Michael Dest sentenced Richard Perez to 19 years and four months in state prison. Perez was originally charged with murder in June 2010 but pleaded guilty Dec. 5 to four felony counts including vehicular manslaughter.
Coleman's family members appeared in court Monday with a life-sized cutout of the fallen officer, the San Bernardino Sun reported. Uniformed CHP officers were also present for the sentencing.
Perez was driving a stolen car on June 11, 2010 when Coleman tried to pull him over. During the chase, Coleman crashed into a big rig and was killed when his motorcycle instantly burst into flames.
After the crash, Perez and three other passengers tried to escape on foot, the San Bernardino County district attorney's office said.
"Perez's flagrant disregard for human life justifies the filing of a murder charge," Dist. Atty. Michael Ramos said in a statement released in June 2010. "Anyone who engages in the kind of dangerous driving and excessive speed, as he did, knowingly endangers the driving public."
San Bernardino Superior Court Judge Michael Dest sentenced Richard Perez to 19 years and four months in state prison. Perez was originally charged with murder in June 2010 but pleaded guilty Dec. 5 to four felony counts including vehicular manslaughter.
Coleman's family members appeared in court Monday with a life-sized cutout of the fallen officer, the San Bernardino Sun reported. Uniformed CHP officers were also present for the sentencing.
Perez was driving a stolen car on June 11, 2010 when Coleman tried to pull him over. During the chase, Coleman crashed into a big rig and was killed when his motorcycle instantly burst into flames.
After the crash, Perez and three other passengers tried to escape on foot, the San Bernardino County district attorney's office said.
"Perez's flagrant disregard for human life justifies the filing of a murder charge," Dist. Atty. Michael Ramos said in a statement released in June 2010. "Anyone who engages in the kind of dangerous driving and excessive speed, as he did, knowingly endangers the driving public."
