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17-year-old driver could face murder charges for deadly car crash

Whether the minor was drag racing is ‘an important element,’ according to the district attorney

Flowers at the site of a crash where two were killed by a teen driver in Redwood City. Photo by Leah Worthington.

The 17-year-old involved in the car crash that resulted in the death of two local parents is still in the hospital and may face manslaughter or murder charges upon his release, according to San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.

No arrests have been made, according to Det. Sgt. Nick Perna of the Redwood City Police Department, who told the Pulse that “reports of any arrests related to this case are false.”

Four other people were also injured in the Nov. 4 collision, including the two passengers in the teen’s car and the 7-year-old twin daughters of San Carlos residents Gregory Ammen, 44, and Grace Spiridon, 42, who died in the crash.

The cause of the collision remains under investigation, according to the Redwood City Police Department. Police are evaluating factors such as the traffic conditions, the speed of the juvenile’s vehicle and statements from witnesses, according to Wagstaffe.

Wagstaffe said his office is reviewing the case and plans to file charges once the driver is released from the hospital, where he’s being treated for injuries from the crash. The DA is considering both vehicular manslaughter and second degree murder charges. Whether the minor was drag racing is “an important element” in determining the appropriate charges, Wagstaffe said.

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While a misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter conviction carries a sentence of up to one year in county jail, a felony conviction means the driver could face up to six years in a state prison. If charged with second-degree murder, the minor could face 15 years to life in prison.

No decisions will be announced until the minor is “available to go to court,” which could be within the next few days or weeks, Wagstaffe said.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the Investigations Unit of the Redwood City Police Department: (650) 780-7111

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17-year-old driver could face murder charges for deadly car crash

Whether the minor was drag racing is ‘an important element,’ according to the district attorney

by Leah Worthington / Redwood City Pulse

Uploaded: Thu, Nov 17, 2022, 1:55 pm

The 17-year-old involved in the car crash that resulted in the death of two local parents is still in the hospital and may face manslaughter or murder charges upon his release, according to San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.

No arrests have been made, according to Det. Sgt. Nick Perna of the Redwood City Police Department, who told the Pulse that “reports of any arrests related to this case are false.”

Four other people were also injured in the Nov. 4 collision, including the two passengers in the teen’s car and the 7-year-old twin daughters of San Carlos residents Gregory Ammen, 44, and Grace Spiridon, 42, who died in the crash.

The cause of the collision remains under investigation, according to the Redwood City Police Department. Police are evaluating factors such as the traffic conditions, the speed of the juvenile’s vehicle and statements from witnesses, according to Wagstaffe.

Wagstaffe said his office is reviewing the case and plans to file charges once the driver is released from the hospital, where he’s being treated for injuries from the crash. The DA is considering both vehicular manslaughter and second degree murder charges. Whether the minor was drag racing is “an important element” in determining the appropriate charges, Wagstaffe said.

While a misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter conviction carries a sentence of up to one year in county jail, a felony conviction means the driver could face up to six years in a state prison. If charged with second-degree murder, the minor could face 15 years to life in prison.

No decisions will be announced until the minor is “available to go to court,” which could be within the next few days or weeks, Wagstaffe said.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the Investigations Unit of the Redwood City Police Department: (650) 780-7111

Comments

menlo parent
Registered user
Menlo Park: Allied Arts/Stanford Park
on Nov 18, 2022 at 12:22 pm
menlo parent, Menlo Park: Allied Arts/Stanford Park
Registered user
on Nov 18, 2022 at 12:22 pm

Um, the subject heading in my email from the Almanac Express says, “Teen Arrested in Fatal RWC Crash”, which links to this article that states “reports of any arrests …are false.”

So? Which is it?


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