Last Updated on December 27, 2022 by C-CAR
OAKLAND — Alameda County Prosecutors have brought manslaughter charges and drunk driving charges against a San Jose resident who was identified by police as the driver of a fatal car accident that claimed two lives last Thanksgiving, according to court records.
Robert Jacob Espinoza, 26, was arrested for two counts of vehicular manslaughter and three counts of drunk driving, in relation to the Nov. 28 accident. Ann Marie Carpaneto and Laura Pereira were his victims. Ann Marie died two weeks later from injuries.
According to police, Espinoza was driving his Tesla along Interstate 880 near Union City when he collided with a Volkswagen parked on the shoulder close to Whipple Road. It happened at 3:00 a.m.
Espinoza was intoxicated at the accident scene, according to an investigator from California Highway Patrol. He was then arrested. Authorities said that three people were injured in the Tesla.
According to CHP, the Tesla wasn’t using “self-driving software” when the accident occurred.
According to court records, Espinoza has pleaded not guilty during a Sept. 22 hearing. He is currently out of custody while charges are being pending.
The reason the Volkswagen was left parked at the shoulder by police has not been made public.
