Drunk Driver Pleads Guilty in Death of Groom’s Mother

A Fillmore man pleaded guilty Tuesday to running down a woman 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.

Casas’ pleas were barely audible at the Ventura hearing, which several of the victim’s friends and relatives attended. Defense attorney Louis “Chuck” Samonsky said Casas was overcome with grief and pleaded 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.”

On July 26, Robin McDonald-Gwaltney, 43, was picking up her son, 20-year-old Jason McMillan, from the side of California 126 after his car broke down. He was on his way to a Santa Paula church for his wedding rehearsal. About 20 guests waited for him.

McDonald-Gwaltney was carrying a tuxedo from her son’s car to hers when Casas’ pickup drifted onto the shoulder and slammed into her, CHP officials said. McMillan was pinned between his mother’s car and his own, suffering a crushed leg and broken pelvis.

Casas, an off-duty maintenance worker for the California Department of Transportation, had a 0.20 blood alcohol level, 2 1/2 times the legal limit for driving, and tested positive for cocaine, authorities said. Aside from two speeding tickets last year, Casas had no other criminal record, his lawyer said.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Audry Rohn said she was satisfied with Casas’ plea decision. “This has been just an unimaginable tragedy for the family,” Rohn said. “They are just completely devastated.”

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