loading

Speeding Driver Pleas Not Guilty to Gross Vehicular Manslaughter

June 18, 2009

El Cajon - Melvin Pearles, a 48-year old Ranchita man involved in a fatal multiple-vehicle car crash which killed a mother pleaded not guilty against gross vehicular manslaughter.

According to the California Highway Patrol, Pearles was driving a Jaguar on state Route 67 at more than 80 mph when he lost control of his car and crossed into oncoming traffic. He sideswiped the Mitsubishi Montero driven by his victim’s mother almost causing it to roll-over before hitting Alexandra Drake’s Volvo which caused it to slam into a tree.

Likewise, the man driving behind Drake swerved and crashed and the motorcyclist behind him ended up on the embankment when it veered to avoid the collision. Drake was mortally injured and died five hours later, her 7-week old son who was strapped in the back seat was unscathed. Pearless and the motorcyclist sustained injuries.

Initial reports indicated that Pearles was racing against a white BMW. Witnesses said that the Jaguar was speeding and jockeying for position with the BMW at the time of the crash. The driver of the BMW did not stop and is being sought for questioning.

Drake was supposedly on maternity leave when the accident happened and was driving after her mother.

In his not guilty plea, Pearles claimed that the driver of a white BMW caused him to lose control of his car at a spot on the highway just east of Archie Moore Road where two lanes merge.

| More
First Name  
Last Name  
City  
State  
Phone  
Email  
Type  
Details  
Join Our Mailing List

  Type the letters below:  

Captcha Image
Follow us on Twitter
Facebook
Avvo Profile
Linkedin Profile
Rodney Mesriani on

Follow us on Twitter
Facebook
Avvo Profile
Linkedin Profile