Girl, 17, Charged in Deputy’s Fatal Crash

An inexperienced 17-year-old driver who allegedly killed an Orange County sheriff’s deputy in September when she pulled in front of his motorcycle was charged Wednesday with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter.

The Mission Viejo girl faces up to a year in jail if convicted of running a stop sign and pulling in front of Sgt. Matthew Davis, who died later at Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center in Mission Viejo.

The high school student, who is not being identified because she is a minor, attended the officer’s funeral and met and prayed with his widow.

Assistant Dist. Atty. Ted Burnett said the girl is deeply remorseful and is undergoing counseling. “This is one of those cases where it’s a tragedy for everyone involved,” he said.

Davis, 38, and a 16-year police veteran, was southbound on Marguerite Parkway at La Sierra Drive about 12:30 p.m. Sept. 20 when the girl made a left turn in front of him, authorities said. The collision threw Davis, who was wearing a helmet, about 20 feet into a traffic sign. He died two days later.

Residents have complained to city officials about poor visibility at the intersection.

The girl is scheduled to be arraigned at the Betty Lou Lamoreaux Justice Center in Orange next month. She is not in custody.