Thread: IA gets 5 yrs for slamming into Los Gatos mom

I'd like to know where his "suspended license" came from since supposedly California doesn't give licenses to illegals???
Man who slammed car into Los Gatos mom gets 5-year prison term
By Judy Peterson
Los Gatos Weekly-Times
Article Launched: 03/28/2008 11:27:17 AM PDT



Sara Cole listens to the courtroom... (George Sakkestad / Silicon Valley Community Newspapers)«1234»

Sara Cole, the Los Gatos mother who was seriously injured last September by a drunk driver, told a Superior Court judge today she does not think the man who ran her over is an evil man. But Cole said, "I'm happy he's come to justice."
Lucio Rodriguez, 27, of San Jose, was sentenced to five years in state prison, with credit for 232 days already served.

Earlier this year Rodriguez pleaded guilty to felony drunken driving, causing great bodily injury, felony hit and run and driving with a suspended license. Rodriguez had a blood alcohol level of .16, twice the legal limit, when he slammed into Cole, crushing her legs as she unloaded a bike from her sport-utility vehicle.

The accident happened at Baggerly Field off of Blossom Hill Road in Los Gatos.

Appearing before Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge David Cena, Cole said, "I just want to say my life has changed dramatically. I have four sons I'm raising as a single mother and the accident has impaired my ability to do that."

Cole, who uses a wheelchair, continues to undergo physical therapy three times a week.

Cole acknowledged that the accident has changed Rodriguez's family, too. He is married and has a young son.

"I don't think he's an evil man," she said. "I'm sorry for both families involved. But it's hard for me to accept what's happened."

Rodriguez is an illegal immigrant who was convicted of a misdemeanor DUI in March 2007.

"I think the U.S. is a great country,"

Cole said. "But I think Mr. Rodriguez abused his place in it. He abused that privilege."
Cole's ex-husband, Bill Cole, is lining up support for AB 1882, known as "Sara's law," that would deport illegal immigrants who are convicted of driving under the influence. The assembly public safety committee will hold a hearing on the bill Tuesday.
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_8730492?nclick_check=1

Earlier this year Rodriguez pleaded guilty to felony drunken driving, causing great bodily injury, felony hit and run and driving with a suspended license. Rodriguez had a blood alcohol level of .16, twice the legal limit, when he slammed into Cole, crushing her legs as she unloaded a bike from her sport-utility vehicle

Ok, I'm unaware of any program which would extend a "valid" drivers license to an illegal invader. Therefore, does any one else believe that if this guy actually had a drivers license, he obtained it through fradulent documents.

Originally Posted by NoBueno

Earlier this year Rodriguez pleaded guilty to felony drunken driving, causing great bodily injury, felony hit and run and driving with a suspended license. Rodriguez had a blood alcohol level of .16, twice the legal limit, when he slammed into Cole, crushing her legs as she unloaded a bike from her sport-utility vehicle

Ok, I'm unaware of any program which would extend a "valid" drivers license to an illegal invader. Therefore, does any one else believe that if this guy actually had a drivers license, he obtained it through fradulent documents.

I agree with you NO Bueno. I think there should be document fraud charges also and ICE called in for deportation.


Send this one to your congressman and to Pelosi.

Sending this to my Congressmember, Pelosi and CA members who aren't co-sponsors of the Save Act or who haven't signed the Discharge Petition

The license was probably from one the states that do give them to IA's. Which 'state' was probably not included on purpose!

Originally Posted by Ratbstard

The license was probably from one the states that do give them to IA's. Which 'state' was probably not included on purpose!

I think you are probably right ! I was thinking of California but he probably got that license in a state which extended drivers licenses to illegals.

LETTERS: The sentence in Cole case is a travesty
From the readers of the Los Gatos Weekly-Times
Article Launched: 04/08/2008 03:35:23 PM PDT


NOTE: The following letters are unedited and reflect only the views of the author.

I would have believed that the report "Driver who hit Sara Cole gets five years" (April 1) and the editorial of the same day were April Fool's Day pranks were the subject matter not as serious and tragic.

Why is there even a debate over whether illegal immigrants charged with DUI should be deported? Illegal immigrants should be deported whether or not they have committed crimes over and above being in this country illegally.

The sentence of five years handed down on illegal immigrant, Lucio Rodriguez, is a travesty of justice. Not satisfied with living in the country illegally, lying and forging documents, driving a vehicle without a license or insurance, Rodriguez showed further disregard for our laws by repeatedly driving drunk. As a result, the lives of Sara Cole and her family have been irrevocably damaged. Her medical bills alone must be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Now this common criminal will be a continued guest of the state.

Moreover, the contention of DA Cindy Hendrickson that Rodriguez was "always willing to take responsibility for his crime" flies in the face of the facts that Rodriguez fled the scene after nearly killing Sara Cole, and was so drunk that he was unable to stand when he was eventually apprehended by police.

Bay Area "sanctuary cities," supporters of illegal immigrant "rights" and Rodriguez's employers, Classic Car


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Wash and Una Mas, have the blood of Sara Cole and many other innocent victims on their hands. The simple fact remains: Had the immigration laws of this country been enforced, Sara Cole would not have been injured.
Marc van Niekerk

Los Gatos

http://www.mercurynews.com/losgatos/ci_8854046