| For Immediate Release Case # 10SF0616
January 25, 2012 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
DRUNKEN DRIVER FACES TRIAL FOR KILLING FRIEND AND INJURING TWO OTHERS AFTER CRASHING INTO TREE AT 70 MPH
FULLERTON – A speeding drunken driver faces trial tomorrow for killing one friend and injuring two others after slicing his car in half by crashing into a tree. Andrew Stueber, 26, is charged with one felony count of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence while intoxicated with sentencing enhancement allegations for causing bodily injury to two additional victims. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 12 years in state prison. Opening statements are expected to begin tomorrow, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012, in Department N-13, North Justice Center, Fullerton. The time is to be determined.
At approximately 2:10 a.m. on Aug. 1, 2009, Stueber is accused of driving under the influence of alcohol in a Ford Mustang after a night of drinking with friends at Goodys Tavern in San Clemente. He is accused of speeding on Avenida Vista Montana at over 55 mph in a 35 mph zone with friends Edmund Vandecasteele, 22, Robert Nichols, 22, and Kyle Nance, 21, as passengers in the car.
Stueber is accused of losing control of his car while driving at a high rate of speed and crossing over onto the wrong side of the road. He is accused of crashing into a tree, severing his car in half.
Stueber was transported to the hospital to be treated for head trauma. Approximately two hours after the crash, he is accused of having a blood alcohol level of .09 percent.
Vandecasteele, who had been riding in the front passenger seat, was pronounced dead at the scene due to multiple traumatic injuries. Nichols and Nance, who had been riding in the back seat, were transported to the hospital to be treated for cuts and bruises.
At the time of the crash, the defendant and the victims were all Marines stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
Deputy District Attorney Nancy Hayashida of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.
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