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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Sunshine Supporter says
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.
james looks like a jerk says
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
Lee says
This IS murder!
Give this killer lots of time says
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
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.
Tommy B. says
So how can they prove he was drunk if they didnt catch him months later?
My opinion says
Exactly my thought
Matt says
“Gonzalez also admitted”… pretty sure that means he fessed up.
No Contest says
Jorge Gascon wants to give murderers a lot less.