A Southern California man was sentenced to 27 years to life in state prison for driving his car into a group of bicyclists in 2021, killing a 16-year-old and injuring four other teenagers, prosecutors said.
Samuel Matthew Rocha, 33, was sentenced on Oct. 27 after pleading guilty in August to second-degree murder and admitting he used his vehicle as a deadly weapon in the death of Pedro Valdez, according to the Ventura County District Attorney's Office. The sentence includes 15 years to life for murder and an additional 12 years for assault with a deadly weapon and battery convictions.
Valdez was riding his bicycle with friends near an intersection of Pleasant Valley Road and Ventura Road in Port Hueneme, a beachside city in Ventura County, on the
evening of April 19, 2021, authorities said. The teens were part of a group of young, local fixed-gear bicycle aficionados who called themselves the "Oxnard Fixie Crew," the USA TODAY Network's Ventura County Star reported.
Prosecutors said Rocha intentionally targeted the group with his Lexus sedan, striking five of the seven bicyclists. Valdez was killed, and four others were injured, including two who suffered serious injuries.
Rocha fled immediately after the collision but was followed by a witness to his mother's nearby apartment complex, where he was arrested by a Port Hueneme police officer, according to prosecutors.
"A tragic loss of life occurred because of Mr. Rocha's actions," Senior Deputy District Attorney Richard Simon said in a statement released after sentencing. "While his acceptance of responsibility is an important step, it cannot undo the devastating consequences of his actions. Pedro Valdez is missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him."
Man was involved in a physical altercation before deadly collision
Rocha initially pleaded not guilty to all charges and proceeded to trial in Ventura County Superior Court. During the trial, which began in March, prosecutors argued that on the night of April 19, 2021, Rocha intentionally accelerated his car into the group of bicyclists after becoming enraged during a physical altercation earlier that evening.
Authorities said Rocha was involved in a confrontation at the Queen Wash laundromat in Oxnard, California, just north of Port Hueneme. Surveillance footage captured Rocha punching a man and then driving his vehicle into an employee who attempted to photograph his license plate after the fight, according to prosecutors.
About 11 minutes later, prosecutors said Rocha encountered a group of seven teenage bicyclists riding together near Pleasant Valley and Ventura roads. Prosecutors accused Rocha of using his car to target the group, hitting five of them before fleeing the scene.
"He knew what he was doing, and he did it anyway," Senior Deputy District Attorney Craig Gardner said in his opening statement on March 11.
Defense attorneys Ashley Correa and Cate Hall disputed that characterization. They argued Rocha did not see the bicyclists and pointed to his long history of mental illness, including documented hallucinations and delusions. The defense maintained that even if Rocha had seen the bicyclists, he would not have had sufficient time to stop his vehicle.
Jurors were 'hopelessly deadlocked' on first-degree murder count
After four days of deliberations, jurors found Rocha guilty of four counts of assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of battery in April. But they reported being "hopelessly deadlocked" on a first-degree murder count and four attempted murder counts.
"The jury was unable to reach verdicts on the remaining counts," the district attorney's office said in a news release. "The jury found the special allegation of causing great bodily injury in commission of a felony to be true."
Prosecutors initially planned to retry the unresolved charges. Instead, after the court encouraged the parties to resolve the case, Rocha pleaded guilty on Aug. 24 to one count of second-degree murder. The attempted murder charges were dismissed as part of the agreement.
At the sentencing hearing on Oct. 27, Judge Dusty Kawai ordered Rocha to pay restitution to victims, revoked his driver's license for life, and recommended substance abuse counseling or education. Rocha will also receive nearly five and a half years of credit for time served in jail.
'My love for him will continue to exist'
Valdez's mother, Christina Garcia, delivered an emotional statement at the sentencing hearing while wearing a T-shirt bearing her son's image and the words "Justice for Pedro Valdez." She told the court she remained grateful to have been his mother and would never stop loving him.
"My love for him will continue to exist for as long as my heart will beat," Garcia said. She described her son as respectful, dedicated and hardworking.
She said the loss permanently changed her family and deprived her of milestones she expected to share with her son, including watching him graduate from high school and someday start a family of his own.
Several of Valdez's friends who survived the crash also addressed the court. Enrique Nieves said he spent three months in critical condition and six additional months confined to a bed while recovering from his injuries. Robert Pano, who left the hospital to attend Valdez's funeral, described the anger he felt over the loss of his friend and the anxiety he experienced about going outside.
"The physical injuries were difficult, but the emotional impact was lasting," he said.
Alan Moreno spoke about Valdez's role in creating the "Oxnard Fixie Crew" bicycle club, which remains active years after his death. "He was making something big, and he was going to be something big," Moreno said.
Contributing: Joe Curley and Jeremy Childs, Ventura County Star
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: California man gets 27 years to life after crash killed teen bicyclist
