Orange County Man Charged with Vehicular Manslaughter
A Ladera Ranch man was in Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach facing arraignment on one count of Penal Code Section 191.5, Vehicular Manslaughter with Gross Negligence While Intoxicated. Richard Ernest Casselli, 37 faces up to 10 years in state prison if convicted. The arraignment was continued to November 9, 2009 and Casselli remains free $100,000 bail.
Prosecutors allege, Casselli was behind the wheel of his Volvo travelling over 100 mph on the 73 toll road when he crashed into Brook Boynton, 52. The force of the crash caused Boynton’s Nissan SUV to spin out of control and roll, ejecting him onto the right shoulder. Boynton later died of his injuries.
Caselli was contacted by police at the scene of the crash and exhibited symptoms of being under the influence of alcohol. After a further DUI investigation, Caselli was arrested and transported to Orange County Jail.
