Pomona : Teacher’s Manslaughter Case
The president of the Arcadia Teachers Assn. was arraigned Thursday in Pomona Municipal Court on charges of vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence and felony drunk driving.
Gary Southworth of La Verne was arrested Dec. 12 after an early morning accident in which Kelly Salmone, 21, of La Verne was killed.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Clayburn Peters said that, if convicted, Southworth could receive a maximum of 3 1/2 years in state prison.
Authorities allege Southworth’s truck ran a red light at Foothill Boulevard and D Street in La Verne and broadsided Salmone’s Honda Accord, killing her.
Peters said Southworth’s blood-alcohol level was 0.14. The legal limit is 0.08.
Peters said a witness in a car behind Southworth’s truck has made a statement that the teacher ran the red light. Southworth teaches at Highland Oaks Elementary School in Arcadia.
Southworth, who appeared in court, did not enter a plea Thursday. A pretrial hearing will be Feb. 18 in Pomona Superior Court.
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