Elderly Driver Blamed for Pedestrian's Death
October 5, 2009
Santa Ana - A 72-year-old woman was charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter after hitting a light pole, causing it to collapse onto a pedestrian.
According to police reports, Wilma Harriet Moerke, 72, from Mission Viejo, was driving a Toyota Sedan along the corner of Garry Street and Main Street when she crashed into a light pole.
Prosecutors said the light pole then fell on Roger Peloquin, 67, causing his head to smash into the ground when he went down. A passing motorist and his companion remove Peloquin who was pinned down by the pole.
However, the pedestrian was already bleeding from his head when he was brought to a hospital wherein he was announced dead.
Peloquin was walking with his wife and another couple when the accident happened.
Misdemeanor manslaughter by unlawful act without gross negligence was filed be the Orange County District Attorneys Office after concluding that the crash happened due to the driver’s “ordinary negligence.”
Moerke will face a maximum sentence of one year in prison if found guilty. She is scheduled for arraignment in the Central Justice Center.
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