| For Immediate Release Case # TBA
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Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
DRIVER UNDER INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AND DRUGS TO BE ARRAIGNED FOR CRASHING INTO AND KILLING MOM WHO WAS RIDING BIKE WITH SON
WESTMINSTER – A driver under the influence of drugs and alcohol has been charged with killing a woman by crashing his car into her while she was riding her bike on the sidewalk with her son. Alex Trujillo, 43, Garden Grove, is charged with felonies for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs causing bodily injury, and driving with a blood alcohol level of .08 percent or more causing injury. He has a prior conviction for driving under the influence in 2002. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison if convicted. The People will be requesting $150,000 bail at Trujillo’s arraignment today, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008, at 1:30 p.m. at the West Justice Center in Westminster. The department is to be determined.
At approximately 4:55 p.m. on Oct. 12, 2008, 46-year-old Catherine Busse was riding her bike on Lampson Avenue in Seal Beach with her 15-year-old son, Samuel Busse. The pair was riding on the sidewalk. Trujillo, who was under the influence of prescription drugs and had a blood alcohol level of .13 percent, is accused of veering off the road and driving up onto the sidewalk at 45 mph. He is accused of crashing his car into Catherine Busse. The victim was thrown from her bike and landed nearby. Witnesses called 9-1-1 and detained Trujillo until police arrived. Catherine Busse died at the scene from blunt force trauma to the head. Her son, Samuel Busse, was transported the hospital to be treated for minor injuries.
Trujillo, who had a prior conviction for driving under the influence, had completed an alcohol awareness class and a Mothers Against Drunk Driving panel, during which he was advised of the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
Deputy District Attorney Susan Price of Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.
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