MAN ARRAIGNED FOR MURDER AFTER DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE AND CRASHING INTO WOMAN AT 110 MPH IN FOUNTAIN VALLEY

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:

  • One felony count of murder

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