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Man charged with murder over Nipomo crash

January 23, 2019

Edgar Saul Rojas Morales

San Luis Obispo County prosecutors charged a Santa Maria man with murder over a DUI crash in Nipomo that killed an 82-year-old woman. [Cal Coast Times]

At about 10: 30 p.m. on Dec. 1, Edgar Saul Rojas Morales, 23, was driving north in the southbound lane of Thompson Avenue when he crashed head-on into a BMW driven by Maricela Marquez, 55, of Santa Maria. The crash killed Santa Maria woman Maria Medina, who was a passenger in Marquez’s car. Morales suffered major injuries in the crash, while Marquez emerged with minor injuries.

Morales was previously convicted of DUI, which makes him eligible to face a murder charge as a result of the deadly crash. A state law requires DUI offenders to agree that if they drive under the influence again and a person dies as a result of it, they may face a second-degree murder charge.

Prosecutors have charged Morales with second-degree murder and vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. Morales also faces enhancements for causing great bodily harm and driving with a suspended license.

Morales faces 15 years to life in prison for the second-degree


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A previous DUI conviction makes him eligible to face a murder charge…why SHOULDN’T he face a murder charge, he murdered Maria Medina!


9

This case is why the most Draconian thing I ever thought of, will work. Blindness. (Although my plan would call for prison on the 2nd conviction and blindness on the third). A known threat for DUI recidivism should be blinded to assure that they cannot drive again. Maybe we can just padlock a helmet on ’em like the Cone of Shame the Vet uses on a biter.

Full disclosure: 1978 & 1982 DUI convictions on my record. Next time, jab out my eyes.


0

Oh, wait! A wall! That might have kept this from happening!


3

Don’t count on Scumbag Dan Dow putting this dirt bag away. Doesn’t prosecute the sheriff for blatant murder, lets the biggest opiate dealer in county history get away, has a jury dismissed because he can’t follow the judges instructions. Good luck to the deceased’s family getting justice.


5

Too bad he didn’t hit and kill a retiring pastor in Morro Bay. He would’ve been out after nine years in the pokey.


4

Give him the death penalty. Make sure this dirt bag never sees daylight again. Oh yea, this is Dow’s office prosecuting, it will be minimum sentencing and reaching a politicial correct plea bargain deal, even though he was with a driver’s license because he had it revoked for a DUI and signed the agreement to be fully prosecuted if caught driving while DUI. This will be y turning point for DA DOW!


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