Driver Pleads Guilty in Fatality

A Fillmore man pleaded guilty Tuesday to vehicular manslaughter charges stemming from the death of a woman who was run over on the side of a highway after her son’s car broke down en route to his wedding rehearsal.

Sergio Casas, 36, faces up to 16 years in prison for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and driving while under the influence of cocaine.

Prosecutors dropped a third count, a misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated.

Casas’ pleas were barely audible at the hearing, which was attended by several of the victim’s friends and relatives. Defense attorney Louis “Chuck” Samonsky said Casas was overcome with grief about the accident and decided to plead guilty because the “facts in the case are not in dispute.”

“He’s very depressed and very remorseful,” Samonsky said. “He doesn’t know what to say to her relatives, he doesn’t know what to say to his [8-year-old] child and he doesn’t know what to say to his wife.”

Deputy Dist. Atty. Audry Rohn said she was satisfied with Casas’ decision to take responsibility for the accident, which has left the victim’s family grief-stricken.

“This has been just an unimaginable tragedy for the family,” Rohn said.

“They are just completely devastated.”

The July 26 accident occurred as Robin McDonald-Gwaltney, 43, was trying to pick up her son, Jason McMillan, 20, from the side of California 126 after his Ford Mustang broke down.

At the time, McMillan was on his way to the Church of Angels in Santa Paula for his wedding rehearsal. About 20 guests were waiting for McMillan’s arrival.

McDonald-Gwaltney was carrying a tuxedo from her son’s Mustang to her BMW when Casas’ pickup truck drifted onto the roadway’s shoulder and slammed into her, California Highway Patrol officials said.

McMillan was pinned between his mother’s car and his Mustang, suffering a crushed leg and broken pelvis.

Casas, an off-duty Caltrans maintenance worker, had a blood-alcohol level more than twice the legal limit, and tested positive for cocaine, authorities said. Casas had no other previous criminal record, his attorney said.

McDonald-Gwaltney’s family declined to comment after Tuesday’s court hearing.

Casas, who is free on $50,000 bail, will be sentenced Jan. 22.