Jurors reached a verdict Wednesday in the case of a transient who drove his car onto a sidewalk in La Jolla injuring three teenagers.
Ronald Troyer, 66, was behind the wheel Aug. 15, 2010 when his car jumped a curb and crashed through the window of the Cass Street Cafe and Bakery. On Wednesday he was found guilty on all counts including DUI, felony reckless driving, hit-and-run and driving on a suspended license.
"It was very tough to see Troyer just for all the hard times he brought on me and my family." said Myles Polger. “We wanted to see justice get served.”
The 15-year-old was one of three teens run over by Troyer.
“At the beginning in the early stages of recovery, it was harder since it was more fresh in my memory,” said Polger. “I learned to move on. To make this a learning experience, rather than a nightmare.”
The teen suffered serious arm and leg injuries, but hopes to be active again soon.
“Right now I’m just starting physical therapy and I hope to be running again in the next six to eight weeks,” said Polger.
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Police at the scene of the August crash said Troyer did have marijuana in his system, but not alcohol.
“The testimony of the children obviously was important because they were the face of this case,” said Deputy District Attorney David Uyar. “The children’s testimony was obviously powerful. But it was heartfelt and true.”
During opening statements, defense attorney David Thompson said there is no dispute that Troyer had some marijuana in his system. He had smoked in the morning. But Thompson argued that it was not the marijuana that caused him to crash into cafe, but rather a "seizure or fainting spell."
The defendant will be sentenced May 4. He faces up to 15 years in prison.
