San Diego
A motorcyclist accused of vehicular manslaughter in the death of a Poway woman who was struck by a California Highway Patrol car that was chasing the motorcyclist was ordered Thursday to stand trial for the offense.
Omar Martinez, 25, of Rancho Bernardo, was believed to have driven a speeding motorcycle being pursued by CHP officer Robert Cobb, who collided with a car being driven by Donna Lovett, 23, in the Kearny Mesa area. Lovett was killed.
The incident occurred Jan. 19, 1988.
Cobb testified that the motorcycle passed him on California 52 at an estimated speed of 70 to 80 miles per hour and accelerated to 100 m.p.h.
Cobb said the motorcyclist took an off-ramp into Kearny Mesa, where he ran many red lights.
San Diego Municipal Judge Nicholas Kasimatis also ordered Martinez to stand trial on charges of evading a police officer and being unlicensed to drive a motorcycle. Kasimatis dismissed a count against Martinez of possessing false registration for the motorcycle.
Martinez will be arraigned March 2, when a trial date will be set.
He remains free on $10,000 bail.
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