Last Updated on May 28, 2021 by CCAR Staff
A drugged driver who caused a multi-vehicle crash on the I-15 in Temecula that killed a woman has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and other charges.
Javier Caldera, 27, of Auburn, Washington admitted to the various counts on Thursday, May, 27, in a plea directly to Riverside County Superior Court Judge F. Paul Dickerson.
Dickerson declined to indicate exactly what term of imprisonment he might impose during sentencing on July 28. The minimum possible sentence is 15 years to life in state prison, though it could go up to 23 years to life.
The defendant was being held without bail while awaiting sentencing.
On June 4, 2019, Caldera was behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Silverado traveling more than 100 mph southbound on the I-15 near Rancho California Road. His pickup slammed into the back of Janet Genao’s Nissan Altima at 7:28 a.m., causing a chain-reaction crash involving four other vehicles.
The collision killed Genao, 44, of Murrieta.
The impact’s force sent a Chevrolet S-10 pickup off of the road and into the side of the Temecula City Hall parking structure, just west of the freeway, mangling the truck. The driver suffered major injuries; he has since recovered.
Two other motorists suffered minor injuries, as did Caldera, with another driver whose vehicle was hit escaping injury, the California Highway Patrol has said.
Prosecutors said the defendant has prior convictions in Washington state, including driving under the influence and felony attempt to elude law enforcement. Under California law, a convicted DUI offender who is aware of the risks of drinking and driving and then causes someone’s death because of it can be charged with murder.
