Sanpedro was sentenced to 120 days in County Jail
(Woodland, CA) – September 29, 2015 – Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig announced that on September 28, 2015, Yolo County Superior Court Judge Daniel Maguire sentenced 73-year-old Pacifico Sanpedro of Hayward to 120 days in County Jail and three years on summary probation. Sanpedro had crashed an Infiniti sedan into a car attached to a tow truck on State Route 16, causing tow operator Christopher Gladden to be pinned between the towed car and his own truck, ultimately causing his death.
Evidence presented at trial showed that Christopher Gladden was completing the attachment of a Nissan sedan to his tow truck on State Route 16 on July 28, 2013, at 3:00 A.M. when Sanpedro crashed into the Nissan at full speed.
Sanpedro was on his way back from gambling at the Cache Creek Casino. As a result of the crash Gladden was pinned in-between the Nissan and the tow truck. He was air-lifted to UC Davis Medical Center where he ultimately died from his injuries. Several witnesses, in addition to reconstruction video, proved the lights of the tow truck Gladden was operating could be seen from one-half a mile away. One witness who was on the side of the road testified as to the brightness of the lights, and that all cars that were traveling the same direction as Sanpedro were stopping to move around it. Sanpedro testified that he did not see any lights before crashing into the parked Nissan. Evidence showed no tire marks or any indications Sanpedro attempted to slow down.
Deputy District Attorney Barry Shapiro prosecuted the case. “The Judge sent a strong message that since the jury found Pacifico Sanpedro criminally responsible for the death of Christopher Gladden’s, there must be consequences,” said Shapiro. I am happy the jury and judge brought some justice to Christopher’s family. They have suffered enormously for something that should have been an avoidable.”
Deputy District Attorney Barry Shapiro leaves the Yolo County Courthouse with the family of the victim, Christopher Gladden, after the sentencing hearing for Pacifico Sanpedro.
###
