MADERA - Madera County District Attorney Michael R. Keitz announced that Richard Farias of Madera, was convicted today by a Superior Court jury on two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter. The jury also found Farias guilty of two additional felony counts of causing great bodily injury to another person while driving under the influence and Farias’ prior conviction for driving under the influence and injuring another. The jury deadlocked on two counts of second degree murder.
The 10 day trial for Farias began on October 23, 2012, in the Madera Superior Court. A number of witnesses gave testimony during the trial that on November 13, 2010, Farias, 57, was driving at excessive speeds on Avenue 14 near Madera, while under the influence with three passengers in his vehicle.
Deborah Lyon and Marcel Rodriguez, both of Madera, were killed when the vehicle swerved off the road and rolled over numerous times before landing in a field. A third passenger, Valentino Valdez was seriously injured but, survived the crash.
Sentencing and trial setting are scheduled for January 7th, 2013, when Farias will be eligible to receive up to 18 years to life in state prison for the 4 felony convictions.
Madera County District Attorney Michael R. Keitz praised the efforts of the California Highway Patrol and Senior Deputy District Attorney Matthew Pfeffer in obtaining the convictions.
“Two families were devastated when their loved ones were killed, and a third person was seriously injured through Mr. Farias’ reckless action and disregard for the law. These convictions carry an important message which is always true, and especially as the holiday season approaches: don’t ever drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Far too many lives have been tragically taken, and families disrupted through this deadly combination.”
