Jeffrey Woods (KTLA-TV)
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SANTA ANA -- A pickup driver accused of being under the influence of prescription drugs and texting when he struck and killed a 14-year-old bicyclist was found guilty of manslaughter on Monday.
Jeffrey Woods was accused of striking Danny Oates near the intersection of Indianapolis Avenue and Everglades Lane in Huntington Beach on August 29, 2007.
Woods had pleaded not guilty to one felony count of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence while intoxicated.
His defense attorney Scott Well claimed Woods had a seizure during the crash and was later diagnosed with epilepsy.
However, prosecutors called the defense case "bogus" and claimed Woods was driving like a "maniac" when he killed the teen, known as "Oatie."
Witnesses testified during the trial that Woods was on two prescription drugs - Xanax and Vicodin - and texting during the crash.
Woods faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison.
He is not the only individual facing criminal charges for a fatality allegedly caused by texting while driving.
Police say Martin Burt Kuehl, 41, was driving west on Westcliff Drive when he hit and killed Martha Ovalle in a crosswalk back in August 2008.
Ovalle, a nanny, was on her way to work.
Friends say the 32-year-old usually took the bus, but decided to walk to work that day.
Deputy Public Defender Adam Vining argued there was no evidence that the case rose beyond one of simple negligence.
But Commissioner James S. Odriozola noted that Kuehl had his cell phone in his hand during the incident, and had been texting back and forth with a friend for several miles prior to the crash.
Jeffrey Woods was accused of striking Danny Oates near the intersection of Indianapolis Avenue and Everglades Lane in Huntington Beach on August 29, 2007.
Woods had pleaded not guilty to one felony count of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence while intoxicated.
His defense attorney Scott Well claimed Woods had a seizure during the crash and was later diagnosed with epilepsy.
However, prosecutors called the defense case "bogus" and claimed Woods was driving like a "maniac" when he killed the teen, known as "Oatie."
Witnesses testified during the trial that Woods was on two prescription drugs - Xanax and Vicodin - and texting during the crash.
Woods faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison.
He is not the only individual facing criminal charges for a fatality allegedly caused by texting while driving.
Police say Martin Burt Kuehl, 41, was driving west on Westcliff Drive when he hit and killed Martha Ovalle in a crosswalk back in August 2008.
Ovalle, a nanny, was on her way to work.
Friends say the 32-year-old usually took the bus, but decided to walk to work that day.
Deputy Public Defender Adam Vining argued there was no evidence that the case rose beyond one of simple negligence.
But Commissioner James S. Odriozola noted that Kuehl had his cell phone in his hand during the incident, and had been texting back and forth with a friend for several miles prior to the crash.
