Aaron Daniel Benson, 25, of Lancaster, is charged with murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury within 10 years of another DUI offense, and driving with a 0.08 percent blood alcohol content causing injury within 10 years of another DUI offense.
The criminal complaint alleges that he was previously convicted of DUI in October 2011.

Patricia Ann Holmes, who was alone in the house in the 1000 block of West Avenue J-12 at 10:55 p.m. March 29, was found in her bed underneath Benson’s 2001 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Benson allegedly crashed his pickup into several parked cars on both sides of the street as he moved westbound on Avenue J-12 before slamming into the elderly woman’s home.
He was arrested soon afterward and has been in custody since then in lieu of $1 million bail.
Benson is due back in a Lancaster courtroom April 29 for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to require him to stand trial.
If convicted as charged, Benson faces a possible maximum sentence of 15 years to life in state prison.
The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Lancaster Station.
[Information via City News Service.]
Previous related stories:
Murder charge filed in Lancaster home crash that killed sleeping elderly woman
Suspected DUI driver crashes into Lancaster home, woman killed
lola says
how can he say hes not guilty? he was drunk and driving and ended some ones life and he says NOT GUILTY? ha look at his mug shot he is one freaken waino.
Danny says
Plead not guilty what a joke he needs to be beaten every day for the rest of his life
Cali Palmdale says
That’s why always say this system needs to be fixed in a case where you know he was deriving and is at fault like many other out there crimes >>>> WHY WASTE TAX PAYERS MONEY ON THESE PEOPLE THEY WILL NEVER LEARN JUST SENTENCE THEM RIGHT AWAY. bet is you let him out in a few month he will be at it again … I SAY IF HE TOOK A LIFE IT SHOULD BE EQUAL pay with his sorry if I offend anyone but its reality this country is going down we need to show people to respect the laws to much sympathy.
Voice of reason says
If drunk driving violations, paid a serious penalty the first time around… We would see less and less second, third, fourth time offenders… All vehicles should be made to only start after breathalyzer passing clears ignition… Since drunk driving is illegal anyways, shouldnt be an infringement on anyone’s freedom… But of course that’s almost too simple/smart….
Nick says
You are so wrong it’s not even funny. Alcoholism is a serious addiction. Your first dui cost most people 10 grand or more and often losing their jobs as well. This is just based on 10 years ago when I got one. It’s way worse now. Not to mention the hours every week you have to spend in rehab classes. This guy worked at buffaloes in east palmdale. He was a nice guy. He probably has a real issue with alcohol or just made a really bad mistake. To bad he didn’t have better friends to stop him from driving
Kathleen says
And he’s not guilty because?
Johnny Trece says
Shouldn’t this type of crime fall under vehicular manslaughter? It doesn’t seem to look like he was directly targeting the woman inside the house. Correct me if I’m incorrect.
Mike says
Hey idiot – if you commit a crime and kill someone during the commission of that crime you are guilty of murder. He was driving drunk- a crime. He killed someone. You figure it out.
Susan says
Thank you for your explanation. I wondered also. You explained it well but the sarcasm wasn’t necessary.
Jane Doe says
If he was targeting her, he would be charged with 1st degree murder.
Greg says
I may be incorrect but I think it was filed as murder since he already had one DUI conviction. As stated here in the comments, the first time may have been a bad choice, the second time he knew better and chose to commit a crime that lead to the death of a person.
mickey says
He is no criminal made a huge mistake think of his family hurting as well some people are rude as hell
Nick says
If you commit a crime, you’re a criminal. Simple linguistics.
Also, I feel no sympathy for anyone who drinks and drives. Every one knows the danger
VXSGuy says
He made a CHOICE not a mistake. A Mistake you can correct. A choice you are stuck with. Yes his family is hurting because he made the wrong CHOICE and they remember the first MISTAKE he made. They couldn’t correct it for him. Based on the article he allegedly hit several cars on both sides of the street before hitting the house. One should assume if he hit the first car he could have stopped but he made the CHOICE to continue to drive…
O-o says
Aww, Mickey, are you offended? =(
What if it had been you MOTHER, or your sister under his truck? Would you still have him and his family in mind??
His family is hurting due to HIS CHOICE to drink and drive!!!!!!
-just saying…
O-o says
…With that said, the whole point of making HUGE MISTAKES, is to learn from them and NOT commit the same mistake again! His first DUI was a mistake, this is MURDER
Mark says
This man who is no criminal is responsible for making sure this lady never opens her eyes again to see the beauty this world has to offer
This man who is no criminal is responsible for making sure this lady never smells a beautiful scent of flowers, or the nice smell of a fresh baked pie
This man who is no criminal is responsible for making sure this lady took her last breath
This man who is no criminal is responsible for making sure this lady will never hear her family say I love you again.
Yes we know his family also has pain, but he is the cause of his family’s pain as well. I do feel for his family, but again he is to blame.
Linda Manes says
OMG, what is wrong with you people? When you mess up once, you get a second chance, not third and fourth chances. That’s what is wrong with society today. No one stands up for their mistakes.
Tony says
Unreal!!!
He pleads not guilty? Who is he trying to fool?
Now if he goea to trial he will end up in prision fo the rest of his life, which that’s what he deserves.
just look at his picture! a crazy a..s wayno.
John says
Everyone pleads not guilty at first. Then they take a plea deal because they know they are guilty as hell.