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Man pleads no contest to DWI crash in Lancaster that killed pedestrian

by City News Service • March 16, 2021

Victim Rodney Richard [right] was struck and killed on Lancaster Blvd. on Aug. 4, 2018. Detectives later identified James Gonzalez [left] as the driver of the white GMC truck [center] that struck Richard and then fled the scene.
LANCASTER – A Lancaster man pleaded no contest Tuesday in connection with a DWI crash that killed a pedestrian in Lancaster.

James Leonel Gonzalez, 40, is facing 26 years and four months in state prison as a result of his no contest plea to gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Gonzalez also admitted an allegation that he fled the scene of the Aug. 4, 2018, crash.

Gonzalez was initially charged with murder and other counts stemming from the collision that killed Rodney Richard Jr. as he crossed the street at Lancaster Boulevard near Elm Avenue in Lancaster.

A white GMC Sierra traveling at an extremely high rate of speed in a 15 mph zone struck the 22-year-old Richard and sped off without stopping, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Detectives from the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station unsuccessfully searched for months for the vehicle, with the county Board of Supervisors issuing a $10,000 reward in 2018 for information leading to the suspect and the city matching the $10,000 reward.

Detectives received an anonymous tip 14 months later, which resulted in three months of investigation that led them to identify Gonzalez as the suspect, according to the sheriff’s department. He was arrested in January 2020 and has remained behind bars since then.

Gonzalez is due back in a Lancaster courtroom for sentencing on May 7.

Previous related stories:

Lancaster man pleads not guilty to hit-and-run crash that killed pedestrian

Arrest made, murder charge filed in Lancaster hit-and-run death

LA County renews reward in Lancaster hit-and-run death

$10K reward offered in Lancaster hit-and-run death

Public’s help sought in fatal hit and run in Lancaster

Man killed by hit-and-run motorist in Lancaster

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Filed Under: Crime/ Safety, Home, Lancaster

9 comments for "Man pleads no contest to DWI crash in Lancaster that killed pedestrian"

  1. Sunshine Supporter says

    March 18, 2021 at 5:15 pm

    Thank God they found him! The pedestrian and his family deserve justice. Thank you to all who gave information and to the investigators who didn’t give up.

    Now we have to find the man that killed baby Sunny before she was born and her mom on J8 and tenth street west. Somebody took our sunshine away and as a community we need to speak up and say what we might know for Justice. Too many people die out here there are crosses on every corner, we need to work together as
    A community to stop this.

  2. james looks like a jerk says

    March 18, 2021 at 2:33 pm

    Just my opinion but James looks like a real life everyday drink or everyday is Cinco de Mayo if you don’t like it that’s just TOBAD

  3. Lee says

    March 17, 2021 at 11:07 am

    This IS murder!

    • Give this killer lots of time says

      March 18, 2021 at 2:29 pm

      Give the low life 50 years he took off he knew he hit him he’s guilty give him 50 years save taxpayer money giving him money out here on the street

      • Sunshine Supporter says

        March 18, 2021 at 5:16 pm

        Thank God they found him! The pedestrian and his family deserve justice. Thank you to all who gave information and to the investigators who didn’t give up.

        Now we have to find the man that killed baby Sunny before she was born and her mom on J8 and tenth street west. Somebody took our sunshine away and as a community we need to speak up and say what we might know for Justice. Too many people die out here there are crosses on every corner, we need to work together as
        A community to stop this.

  4. Tommy B. says

    March 17, 2021 at 10:20 am

    So how can they prove he was drunk if they didnt catch him months later?

    • My opinion says

      March 17, 2021 at 9:36 pm

      Exactly my thought

    • Matt says

      March 18, 2021 at 10:48 am

      “Gonzalez also admitted”… pretty sure that means he fessed up.

  5. No Contest says

    March 17, 2021 at 12:40 am

    Jorge Gascon wants to give murderers a lot less.

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