Local News in Brief : Orderly Gets 6 Years in Death of Bicyclist, 55
A 22-year-old San Fernando motorist who struck and killed a Glendale woman as she rode her bicycle was sentenced Friday to six years in state prison for vehicular manslaughter.
Jose Chavez was sentenced by Van Nuys Superior Court Judge Alan B. Haber in connection with the fatality, which occurred Jan. 26 in the 5500 block of Valley Circle Blvd., Woodland Hills. Tests showed Chavez was drunk when he struck Greta Mataga, 55, and police found small quantities of marijuana and cocaine in his possession, according to Dist. Atty. Larry Diamond.
After the accident, Chavez, an orderly at a nearby convalescent home, fled in his car, but two witnesses followed him and forced him to return to the site of the collision, Diamond said. Chavez was arrested there, Diamond said.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
