Oceano man sentenced in tourist murder
October 5, 2011
Jerardo Iriarte
The Oceano man who intentionally drove his car off Highway 101 in Pismo Beach killing two tourists has been sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.
Jerardo Iriarte, 19, was originally charged with two counts of murder for the deaths of 63-year-old Bruce Mallin and 59-year-old Marjorie Mallin. As part of a plea agreement, Iriarte pleaded no contest to a single murder charge.
In October 2010, Iriarte had been in Marie Callender’s arguing with a former girlfriend who refused to see him anymore. Witnesses reported that Iriate was clearly angry as he left the restaurant and took off in his car.
Moments later, Iriarte drove southbound on Highway 101 at a high speed, steered the black Toyota Corolla towards the restaurant and drove through the chain link fence that separated the highway from Price Street. His car continued traveling south on Price Street where it struck the Mallins.
While out on bail, he was arrested in April and charged with being under the influence of a controlled substance.
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