The Antelope Valley Times

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Driver charged with murder in crash that killed motorcyclist

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The collision occurred Feb. 19 at the intersection of Avenue P and 15th Street East. [Photo by LUIS MEZA]
The collision occurred Feb. 19 at the intersection of Avenue P and 15th Street East. [Photo by LUIS MEZA]
PALMDALE — The driver of a sport utility vehicle that collided with a motorcycle in Palmdale Friday night has been charged with the rider’s death.

Anthony Wayne Headen, 55, of Palmdale, was charged Tuesday with murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and driving with a suspended license, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

The complaint includes an allegation that Headen fled the scene of the crime. The criminal complaint also alleges that Headen has two prior convictions for driving with a suspended license.

Victim Austin Morales [Facebook photo]
Victim Austin Morales [Facebook photo]
Headen was to be arraigned Tuesday in an Antelope Valley courtroom, but the arraignment was postponed to March 4, according to Ricardo Santiago of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

The case stems from a Feb. 19 traffic crash that claimed the life of 23-year-old Austin Morales of Lancaster.

It happened around 6 p.m. at the intersection of Avenue P and 15th Street East, according to a news release from the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station.

Morales was riding a motorcycle east on Avenue P when Headen, in a Kia SUV, suddenly pulled out in front of the motorcycle from 15th Street East.

Morales was thrown from his bike and sustained critical injuries. He was treated by Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics and then transported to Antelope Valley Hospital where he died from his injuries.

Headen allegedly left the scene but was found a short distance away and arrested on suspicion of hit-and-run.

Headen has been jailed since his arrest in lieu of $165,000 bail, according to LASD inmate records.

Morales was a married father of three who was headed to work at the time of the crash, according to his family members.

Previous related story: Motorcyclist dies after Palmdale crash, driver arrested

Filed Under: Crime/ Safety

18 comments for "Driver charged with murder in crash that killed motorcyclist"

  3. Av hater you must like drunk drivers ,I don’t like good people and kids dying from drunk drivers,beat there ass on the way to jail

    • Nope, I don’t like drunk drivers anymore than anybody else, but I do like common sense. People catch DUI’s sleeping in their car when not a shred of proof exists that that person ever drove that vehicle. That’s an example of 100% revenue driven law enforcement geared toward creating inflated statistics, getting people into the court system, and sucking their wallets dry. It happens often.

  5. Hey. Av hater
    Get a life maybe u need to see yong kids die from people like this be responsible for r Acton dumby

    • George , take your medication. Let the punishments fit the crimes. If people like you made the laws, we’d be executing people for stealing bubble gum.

  6. They need to jail these. DUI for 10 yrs no breaks no lic. After first. DUI second time caught life
    George
    Aka. Cooler

    • George, take your medication, you’re getting hysterical. People get DUI after drinking 2 twelve ounce beers. Sorry, that ain’t a DUI and it’s purely revenue driven. True DUI accidents are caused by people with high BAC’s. Read up on the REAL statistics behind DUI sometime.

      • If a person gets a DUI after drinking two beers, then that person should not drink two beers and get behind the wheel of a car.
        Everybody has different levels of intoxication after drinking based on body weight, what or if they’ve eaten, or how much and what they’ve had to drink.
        If you don’t know what you’re BAC level is if you’re pulled over, then the safest thing to do is to NOT DRIVE AFTER DRINKING.
        Unfortunately, it’s going to take you or someone you love getting hurt or killed to bring you to your senses.
        I agree with George. EVERYONE knows the dangers of drinking and driving, and should face SERIOUS consequences the FIRST time.
        Then maybe they’ll be smart enough not to repeat.
        There are many transportation options to choose from after drinking without driving yourself.

  8. GOD BLESS YOUR HEART AUSTIN. YOU HAD AND STILL HAVE A BEAUTIFUL SMILE. GIVE LORD JESUS A BIG HUG FOR ME ANGEL.

  9. My deepest condolences go out to his Wife, his little Angels, and to all his family and friends that knew him. I heard this devasting news through my brother that worked with him. He describes him as great down to earth person.My heart breaks to learn of a life cut so short, with so much more ahead.

    With much Love and respect from Long Beach

    Daisy

  10. God be with this family oh lord, comfort them help them not to grieve but instead be at relief that their lost is in a better place… Cover their family in the blood of Jesus keep your family safe this is not a tragedy but a celebration of a son coming home to the father. God bless the family of this man and stay strong and lord help the family to forgive the wrong in Jesus name amen

  11. This is so heartbreaking. I am Jasmine’s cousin and am completely brokenhearted for her and their little girls. The few times that I met Austin were always so much fun; he was always smiling, laughing, making jokes. I can’t believe how short his life was cut due to someone’s irresponsibility. No amount of jail time will ever be enough, not only was he robbed from seeing his girls grow up, growing old with his wife, but his daughters will never go to a daddy-daughter dance with him, he won’t be able to walk them down the aisle, see them graduate from college, meet his grandchildren. I hope Mr. Headens realizes the horrendous consequences of his actions, he has changed the lives of so many with his irresponsible, thoughtless, and selfish actions.

  12. Reading this hurts so much for this guy’s stupidity we lost such a amazing person. A great father, a great husband, a wonderful son and brother, and the greatest friend. Austin was a guy who always walked around with a smile. No matter who you where or how you looked he said hi. He was never scared to talk to people and give someone a helping hand. He was always funny and made every one laugh. He could always see the good in people. Hearing the news no one can believe that he is gone. I knew him since 1st grade and I thank god that I had him all these years. So many times he made me keep fighting when I wanted to give up. Thankyou Austin for always being a friend to every one you had such a big heart. You will always be loved and even though you are gone you will NEVER be forgotten your memory will always live on. When we think of you we have a smile on our lips and a tear on our cheek. Rest in paradise Austin morales.

  13. My heart hurts forever, I never thought I’d be reading something on antelope valley times about Austin. I wish this was really a nightmare & we’d all wake up from it.. My heart is broken.. I know his daughters will know what an amazing daddy he was. & Jasmine knows that Austin will always be the love of her life..
    Love you austin. Rest in paradise. See you soon ❤️❤️❤️❤️