Jury selection begins in Yolo Superior Court next week in the trial of a Woodland man accused of causing a fatal hit-and-run collision in Davis a year ago this month.
Armando Arias Gonzalez Jr. faces second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run charges in connection with the Feb. 1, 2014, crash on East Covell Boulevard near Baywood Lane that claimed the life of Vacaville resident Ruth Darlene Morales, 85.
Gonzalez, 40, has pleaded not guilty.
Authorities said Gonzalez had an epileptic seizure just before rear-ending Morales’ vehicle, which struck a tree. Gonzalez then hit a second car at Covell and Pole Line Road, injuring a mother and daughter.
Yolo County prosecutors say the second-degree murder charge reflects Gonzalez’s history of seizure-related crashes, saying he was aware of the danger he posed to other motorists. His defense attorney has called the crash a “tragic accident” that occurred despite Gonzalez’s efforts to control his epilepsy with medication.