Thread: Driver facing murder charges in officer's death

Driver facing murder charges in officer's death

Web-posted Aug 29, 2007

By SHAUN BYRON
Of The Oakland Press

The man accused of being drunk behind the wheel of a sports car that killed a Flint police officer was arraigned Tuesday on charges that included second-degree murder.

Ramon Felix Pineda stood mute in 52-2 District Court before Judge Kelley Kostin, who denied bond based on the severity of the charges and his status as an illegal resident of the United States. "I don't find any comfort the bond would give Mr. Pineda the conviction to show in court," Kostin said.

Pineda is alleged to have been illegally living in the United States for the last 10 years under false identities, including a cousin who lives in Mexico. He is being charged with seconddegree murder, operating while intoxicated causing death, leaving the scene of an accident causing death and driving with a suspended license.

Second-degree murder carries a maximum of life in prison, while operating while intoxicated causing death is a 15-year felony.

Officials with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have also been informed of Pineda's illegal citizen status.

The 25-year-old is accused of being behind the wheel of the 1992 Chevrolet Camaro that hit off-duty Officer Vincent Owen D'Anna about 8 p.m. Sunday on Sashabaw Road, just past Clarkston Road.

According to witness statements, the Camaro was heading south on Sashabaw Road and hit D'Anna from behind.

D'Anna was driving a 2007 Suzuki motorcycle and became pinned under the car.

The Camaro continued heading south after the collision, dragging D'Anna several feet, according to witnesses.

Oakland County Sheriff 's deputies say Pineda got out of the Camaro and tried to run away, but a witness stopped him.

Oakland County Sheriff 's Lt. James Ahearn told the court Pineda admitted to drinking seven beers before getting behind the wheel of the Camaro and was driving too fast to slow down.

Ahearn also told the court Pineda gave them several false identities. Oakland County Assistant Prosecutor Kelly Chard said Pineda has two bench warrants out of that district court dating back to 2001, stemming from traffic violations.

Pineda has also never applied for a driver's license, and there were at least 16 witnesses who saw him hit D'Anna, Chard said.

"I think the only way to protect society is to deny bond," she told the court.

Defense attorney Arthur Greenstone asked for leniency on the bond, saying Pineda and his family are heartbroken over what happened.

Pineda didn't mean to hurt anyone, but only wanted to run from the scene because of his illegal resident status, Greenstone told the court.

He has also been employed for the last five years as a cook at a Clarkston restaurant, Greenstone said. Members of D'Anna's family left the courtroom as Greenstone continued to ask for leniency on setting his bond.

"His 1-year-old son and his wife are here. É It appears this is a one-time incident, and it is awful, but there is no history of substance abuse or violence," Greenstone told the court. "If you scratch this catastrophe, you will find someone who has been a productive member of this community."

Visitation for D'Anna will take place 6-9 p.m. today and 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Thursday at Lewis E. Wint & Son Funeral Home, 5929 S. Main St. in Clarkston. The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Clarkston United Methodist Church, 6600 Waldon Road.

Contact staff writer Shaun Byron at (24 745-4685 or shaun.byron@oakpress.com.

http://www.theoaklandpress.com/stories/ ... 9147.shtml

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Thanks Jean. I didnt see that.