Case # 18WF1476
Date: July 10, 2018
MAN ARRAIGNED FOR MURDER AFTER DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE AND CRASHING INTO WOMAN AT 110 MPH IN FOUNTAIN VALLEY
SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man was arraigned yesterday for murdering a woman by driving under the influence and crashing into her vehicle at 110 miles per hour in Fountain Valley.
|
Defendant |
Charges |
Maximum Sentence |
Court Date |
|
Jonathan Truong St. Thomas, 24, Westminster |
Charged on July 2, 2018, with the following:
|
15 years to life in state prison |
Pre-trial hearing July 11, 2018, 8:30 a.m. Department W-2, West Justice Center, Westminster |
Circumstances of the Case
- On Oct. 13, 2017, at approximately 11:35 p.m., St. Thomas is accused of driving southbound down Magnolia Street in Fountain Valley while under the influence of alcohol.
- At the time of the crime, the defendant is accused of driving in excess of 110 miles per hour with a blood alcohol content of .15 percent.
- St. Thomas is accused of colliding with 25-year-old Melanie Barlow’s vehicle at a high rate of speed near the intersection of Magnolia Street and Mint Avenue.
- Witnesses called 911 and emergency medical responders transported the defendant and victim to local hospitals. Barlow was pronounced dead shortly after the crash.
- The Fountain Valley Police Department investigated this case and arrested St. Thomas at the scene.
Prosecutor: Senior Deputy District Attorney Daniel Feldman, Homicide Unit