Big Rig Driver Charged with Vehicular Manslaughter

Mar 17,2017

The big rig driver who caused a fatal crash on I-10 last year has been charged with vehicular manslaughter. The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against 53-year-old Robbie Macias of Plumas Lake last month. The charges follow the recommendation of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) based on their investigation.

The CHP completed its investigation into the February 2016 crash last June. Now, just over a year after the crash, the District Attorney has issued an arrest warrant for the big rig driver.

According to the CHP, about 10 people witnessed the big rig crash last year that killed 56-year-old Maria Vera of Palm Desert. Vera left behind two sons, two daughters and several grandchildren.

Big Rig Driver Drives through Lane Closure, Killing Crash Victim

Vera was driving a Volkswagen Jetta on I-10 when her vehicle struck the concrete barriers that were in place for the Jefferson interchange improvement project. The Volkswagen overturned at the freeway off-ramp. The passenger in the vehicle escaped, but Vera was trapped. CHP officers closed off the crash site with cones so they could rescue the driver. Before they could extract Vera, Macias drove his big rig into the enclosed area and crashed into the Volkswagen. Vera died at the scene.

“All drivers have a responsibility to pay attention for possible road closures, but this is especially true of truck drivers. Just a few seconds of distraction can have fatal consequences,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured in a truck accident and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.