Did He Destroy Evidence?
By STEVEN LUKE
Updated 11:05 AM PST, Tue, Jan 13, 2009
Prosecutors claim the suspect in a fatal hit-and-run tried to destroy evidence to cover up his role in the crime.
Carlsbad resident John Sudac Jr., 27, appeared in a Vista courtroom Monday to face charges of felony manslaughter, felony hit-and-run and possession of marijuana.
Sudac surrendered to authorities after he was named as a suspect in a hit-and-run accident on Interstate-5 January 4, 2009.
Sudac crossed multiple lanes traveling northbound on Interstate-5 at 1:00 am Sunday morning and hit the back of a Ford Explorer, causing it to roll over multiple times, according to CHP officers. Yine Gonzalez , 24, of Tijuana was partially ejected from the vehicle. Several off-duty law enforcement officers and Marines stopped to try and extricate Gonzalez from the SUV. She and the unborn child died as a result of the accident.
At least 17 family members and friends of the defendant appeared in court Monday to show support. Sudac pleaded not guilty to all charges. The judge left bail at the present amount - $200,000. He added that Sudac can't drive, can't use alcohol or drugs and must allow searches of his personal property at any time.
Deputy District Attorney Natalie Villaflor argued that Sudac destroyed evidence while out on bail. She claimed Sudac tried to shred a Chargers ticket stub that matched a parking stub on the vehicle left at the scene. Investigators say they found numerous stubs from older games on display in Sudac's home.
First Published: Jan 12, 2009 3:10 PM PST
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