Man Ditched Vodka Bottle After Fatal Crash: DA

Joshua Taylor is being held on a $2 million bond in the death of Rocio De Anda Leamon

Prosecutors said a driver suspected of DUI ditched a vodka bottle after hitting a woman in a San Carlos intersection and pushing her more than 57 feet down the street, where she died.

With tears in their eyes, the family of Rocio De Anda Leamon, 38, faced the man accused of killing her: Joshua Daniel Taylor, 38.

Taylor pleaded not guilty Tuesday to all charges and allegations against him, stemming from the crash that killed Leamon on Aug. 13.

According to Deputy District Attorney Steven Schott, Taylor had a blood alcohol content of 0.23 β€” nearly four times the legal limit β€” when he ran a red light and struck Leamon as she crossed Navajo Road just before 6:30 p.m.

β€œHe was going at a very high rate of speed,” said Schott. β€œHe struck Ms. Leamon, carried her down the road, carried her 57 feet.” Her body landed face down on the pavement, and the married mother of three was pronounced dead 30 minutes later.

Immediately after the crash, Schott said Taylor tried to get rid of some incriminating evidence.

"We know that a witness saw him take something out and put something down in that area, and officers recovered a vodka bottle right there," said Schott.

According to the prosecutor, Taylor admitted to officers at the scene that he had been drinking and driving. When asked if he knew the risk of driving under the influence, Taylor allegedly told drivers it was β€œcommon sense.”

He has two prior DUI convictions: one from 1996 and the second from 2000.

Taylor was charged Tuesday with murder, gross vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury, all of which he denied. He is being held on a $2 million bond.

For the murder charge, he could face 15 years to life in prison, and the same punishment could come from the manslaughter charge because of his prior convictions, the prosecutor said.

His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 27.

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