Marine Pleads Guilty in Deaths of 4 Youths
- Share via
SAN DIEGO — A Camp Pendleton Marine pleaded guilty Monday to involuntary manslaughter in the deaths of four Mexicali youths he hit with his truck while drag-racing drunk.
Cpl. Francisco J. Lopez, 22, was accused of running over the four, ages 12 to 16, and fleeing across the border at Calexico after the Dec. 30 incident.
His plea came in El Centro on the first day of a court martial.
Lopez had been charged with murder. Three of the four victims were killed instantly and the fourth died at a hospital. Two other people were injured when Lopez lost control of his truck.
Lopez will be sentenced today. He faces a maximum 53 years imprisonment and forfeiture of all pay and benefits.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
