Driver Pleads Guilty in CHP Motorcycle Officer’s Death : Courts: Illegal immigrant faces up to year in jail and deportation for misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter in crash.

A day laborer who struck and killed a California Highway Patrol sergeant pleaded guilty Friday to misdemeanor charges of vehicular manslaughter and driving without a license or insurance.

Javier Uribe Chaparro, 25, of Trabuco Canyon had been drinking but was not legally impaired on April 23 when he swerved across the center divider of Irvine Boulevard in Santa Ana and struck Sgt. John L. Steel, 47. The head-on collision killed Steel, who was in uniform and riding his CHP motorcycle to work at about 4:20 a.m.

Chaparro faces up to a year in jail when he is sentenced July 29. Chaparro, who is an illegal immigrant from Mexico, also faces deportation. Immigration and Naturalization Service officials have placed a jail “hold” on Chaparro, meaning that he can be released only into federal custody.

Steel’s funeral attracted more than 2,000 friends, relatives and fellow officers. The 20-year veteran was hailed as a hero, a devoted father and friend who was active in police Olympics and softball teams but equally well-known for his sense of humor.

Steel is the fourth CHP officer in the department’s history to die in Orange County. He left behind a wife and two teen-age sons.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Marc M. Kelly said the case was a sad one. It appears that Chaparro had been awake for an extended period and was falling asleep at the wheel when he turned into Steel’s lane. “Fatigue was a major factor,” Kelly said.

A blood-alcohol test revealed Chaparro’s blood-alcohol level at the time was 0.03, well below the legal limit of 0.08.

Without evidence of gross negligence, Chaparro could be charged only with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter, Kelly said.

“This is a tragedy for everyone involved,” Kelly said. Steel “was well-liked by all members of law enforcement and well-liked in our office. He was an outstanding police officer.”

Deputy Public Defender Marion Wheeler said his client pleaded guilty because he is distraught over the incident. Wheeler said he was concerned that emotions stirred by the death of such a well-liked enforcement officer might cause prosecutors to overcharge Chaparro.

“I don’t believe that happened,” Wheeler said. “I believe the prosecutor and the judge have looked at this objectively, as it should be. They charged him with the appropriate charges.”

Wheeler said his client did not flee the scene, but instead waited for help, flagged traffic away from the downed officer and then admitted to police that he was the driver.

“He is very seriously repentant,” Wheeler said. “He told police everything that happened from the start.”

Speaking of the victim’s wife, Kelly said, “this plea will give her some satisfaction to know that the defendant has admitted his guilt, that he admitted his guilt at an early stage of the proceedings and pleaded guilty to all the charges.”