Not-Guilty Plea in School Guard Death
A suspected drunk driver accused of killing a Whittier school crossing guard pleaded not guilty Wednesday to vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run charges.
Patrick Robert McLaughlin, 43, of Anaheim was arraigned in Whittier Municipal Court. His preliminary hearing was set for June 28.
McLaughlin is accused of killing John Antonio Vela, 66, Monday afternoon while Vela was escorting two girls in a crosswalk near Lake Elementary School. Vela, of Pomona, was wearing an orange reflective vest and holding a stop sign when he was struck.
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