A 22-year-old Pasadena man has been charged in the hit-and-run crash that killed a motorcyclist in 2016, according to a report from KTLA. The suspect, Donte Antoine Fox, was charged with multiple counts in relation to the crash on Monday, July 2 by the Los Angeles County District Attorney.
This is at least the second time Fox has faced serious criminal charges, according to a statement released by the LA County District Attorney. The statement said that Fox was also convicted of a first-degree residential burglary in 2016, the same year the accident occurred.
After reviewing the statement from the district attorney’s office, our California wrongful death lawyer at Licata & Yeremenko, A Professional Law Corporation is going to discuss the accident, investigation, charges, and how the victim’s family can obtain compensation for their loved one’s wrongful death.
The Circumstances Surrounding the Accident
The accident occurred on October 6, 2016, around 11:43 p.m. when Fox allegedly stole a Tesla Model S 85D, according to the prosecutor assigned to the case. While driving the Tesla, Fox slammed the vehicle into a motorcyclist, identified as 60-year-old Oscar Chavez. The accident occurred at the intersection of East Washington Boulevard and Marengo Avenue.
Chavez died at the scene of the crash. Fox fled the scene and a search was initiated for a driver of a Tesla vehicle. Fox was finally arrested on June 21 of this year. The Pasadena Police Department is still investigating the accident. The Pasadena Police nor the district attorney released information as to how Fox was found and arrested or if tips from the public led to his capture.
Charges Filed
Charges have been filed in relation to this case by the district attorney. Fox was charged on July 2 with one felony count for each of the following:
- Vehicular manslaughter
- Murder
- Hit-and-run that resulted in the death
- Taking or driving a vehicle without consent
- Grand theft auto
Plea Entered
Fox entered a not guilty plea to the charges filed on Monday. He is scheduled to make an appearance in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Department J, in the Pasadena Branch on August 14.
The case number is GA103792 and it was filed by the district attorney on June 25. If convicted, Fox could face more than 36 years to life in prison for the death of Chavez. His bail was set at $2.1 million.
Dealing with the Loss of a Loved One
It’s never easy to lose a loved one. It can be overwhelming when the death is caused by the negligence of someone else. Dealing with grief and other emotions following a wrongful death should be done with the help of family, friends, a support group, and a therapist. You need to talk about your loss as much as possible in order to properly grieve your loved one.
If you have lost a loved one due to the negligent actions of another, do not hesitate to discuss your case with an experienced wrongful death attorney in California at Licata & Yeremenko, A Professional Law Corporation. Call our office at 818-783-5757 to speak with a wrongful death attorney today. You can also complete the contact form found on our website to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys.