16-Year-Old Driver in SR-52 Crash Pleads Guilty to Vehicular Manslaughter

Read more about the SR-52 crash that involved local teens

A 16-year-old boy from Santee who raced another motorist, causing a two of his teenage passengers, pleaded guilty in Juvenile Court today to charges of gross vehicular manslaughter resulting in death.

The teen faces a maximum of seven years and four months in custody when he is sentenced July 16 by Judge Browder Willis.

The 16-year-old surrendered to authorities April 12 after being notified that an arrest warrant had been issued for him in connection with the accident eight days earlier.

Authorities said the teen and an 18-year-old motorist, Michael S. Johnson, were racing at speeds of up to 100 mph on eastbound state Route 52 when the younger driver lost control of his Volkswagen Passat and crashed, killing 16-year-old Jayli Campbell and 18-year-old Anthony Foreman.

Defense attorney James Dicks said at the 16-year-old's arraignment that his client was not racing, but the accelerator on his car stuck as he tried to pass another vehicle and that he committed no intentional act which led to the deaths and injuries in the case.

Deputy District Attorney Minaz Bhayani countered that an initial inspection of the Passat showed no defect with the accelerator.

The prosecutor told the judge that the 16-year-old was cited for driving 90 mph on state Route 125 in February.

Michael S. Johnson has Thursday to charges of gross vehicular manslaughter and other counts. His trial is set for September.

-City News Service