| For Immediate Release Case # 08ZF0040
November 18, 2008 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
DRIVER UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF NARCOTICS TO BE ARRAIGNED ON INDICTMENT FOR KILLING TEEN ON BIKE WHILE SENDING TEXT MESSAGES
WESTMINSTER – A driver under the influence of narcotics will be arraigned tomorrow on a grand jury indictment for killing a 14-year-old on a bike by crashing into the victim while text messaging behind the wheel. Jeffrey Francis Woods, 21, Huntington Beach, was indicted by the Grand Jury on Nov. 10, 2008, on one felony count of vehicular manslaughter by unlawful act with gross negligence while intoxicated and one felony count of driving under the influence causing bodily injury. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison if convicted. Woods is expected to be arraigned tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008, at 8:30 a.m., in Department C-5, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
Shortly after noon on Aug. 29, 2007, Woods is accused of driving in a residential area in his pick-up truck eastbound on Indianapolis Avenue in Huntington Beach. He is accused of driving erratically and following too close to other vehicles while under the influence of controlled substances, Vicodin and Xanax. Woods is accused of sending text messages and being distracted while driving. Woods is accused of suddenly swerving over several lanes into oncoming traffic. The defendant is accused of crossing into the bike lane on the wrong side of the road in his truck and crashing into 14-year-old Daniel Oates, who was riding his bicycle with a friend. The victim was thrown 150 feet from his bicycle and landed in a traffic lane. Oates died from the impact of the crash caused by Woods. The defendant is accused of then crashing into a palm tree, through a wall, and into the backyard of a nearby home.
Deputy District Attorney Susan Price of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.
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