Driver drops appeal in Angeles Crest Highway manslaughter case

Marcos Costa, the truck driver convicted of manslaughter in a 2009 fatal Angeles Crest Highway crash, has dropped his appeal, according to his attorney.

Costa, 46, was sentenced in 2011 to seven years and four months in prison. Palmdale resident Angel Posca, 58 and his 12-year-old daughter, Angelina, died on July 1, 2000 after Costa’s truck, which lost its brakes, slammed into Posca’s vehicle.

“Mr. Costa wants to put this tragic accident behind him,” said Sally Brajevich, appointed to represent Costa in his appeal. “He no longer wishes to appeal.”

Brajevich had no further comment on the case, which was originally scheduled to be heard by California’s 2nd District Court of Appeal on Jan. 29.

During Costa’s trial, prosecutors showed evidence that he neglected to check his brakes before driving on the highway. Brajevich had argued that he wasn’t experienced and there was no truck escape lane available on the highway.

-- Tiffany Kelly, Times Community News

Follow Tiffany Kelly on Google+ or on Twitter: @LATiffanyKelly.