Man Charged with DUI and Murder of Bicyclist

July 15, 2009

Los Angeles – Marco Antonio Valencia, a 20-year old Canyon Country resident was charged with murder after the death of a bicyclist.

Valencia, who is about to turn 21 next month is facing one felony for murder and gross vehicular manslaughter when he drove drunk in a crash that killed Joseph Novotny of Stevenson Ranch. Aside from killing Novotny, 43, three other cyclists were injured.

He is also being charged with six felony counts of DUI and four felony counts of leaving the scene of the accident. He was arrested later on for suspicion of DUI 90 minutes after the crash.

A misdemeanor was also filed against him for driving when the privilege was suspended for a prior DUI conviction. The criminal complaint filed against Valencia alleged that Valencia has two previous DUI convictions in Los Angeles County in May 2007 and February 2008.

Valencia is currently in jail with a $1.3 million bail. He is due back for an arraignment on July 29 and according to the District Attorney’s Office, he may face 27 years to life in prison.