Trucker Says He’s Innocent in Death

A truck driver accused of driving under the influence of methamphetamine and killing a man when his truck’s brakes failed in Anaheim Hills pleaded not guilty Friday to charges of gross vehicular manslaughter.

Anthony Robert Saiz, 47, of Lakewood entered his plea at North Justice Center in Fullerton. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 10, Deputy Dist. Atty. Mike Flory said.

Saiz, who was released from jail after posting $100,000 bail, has been charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, felony driving under the influence and driving with an expired license. If he is convicted, the maximum penalty would be 13 years and eight months in prison.

Police said Saiz ran a red light on March 8 when the brakes on his big rig failed, setting off a 12-vehicle pileup in Anaheim Hills that killed optometrist Kenneth Michael Larkin.

During the investigation, police found that Saiz was under the influence of methamphetamine and morphine. A search of his truck produced a plastic bottle filled with urine, police said, which Saiz may have stashed in case of a random drug test.

Mechanical inspections of the truck also found that seven of the truck’s eight brakes were inoperable or out of adjustment even though Saiz apparently filled out a pre-trip inspection report indicating that he had checked the brakes.

Since the crash, residents have complained to the city and police about truck traffic on the steep hill. City officials later adopted a plan to improve safety in the area.