Man fatally crushed under RV; suspected DUI driver charged

A driver allegedly under the influence of methamphetamine has been charged with vehicular manslaughter after crashing into a parked recreational vehicle on the side of a road and crushing a man working underneath the RV, Orange County prosecutors said.

Marco Vinicio Morales, 50, is expected to be arraigned Tuesday on one felony count of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and one misdemeanor count of driving with a suspended license, according to a statement from the Orange County district attorney’s office.

Prosecutors said that Morales, a Fountain Valley resident, could face a maximum sentence of four years in state prison if convicted. Prosecutors said they would request Morales be held on $100,000 bail.

On the morning of Oct. 1, prosecutors said Morales was driving through an industrial area of Fountain Valley to work as an auto mechanic.

Timothy Michaud, 49, had parked his RV on the side of the road, and had it propped up on blocks. The RV extended slightly onto the road because of its size, authorities said.

Prosecutors said Morales crashed into the RV, pushing it off the blocks and trapping Michaud under the vehicle.

Morales worked with bystanders to try to lift the vehicle with a hydraulic jack, but Michaud died at the scene, prosecutors said.

A test of Morales’ blood found that, at the time of the incident, Morales was under the influence of a “high quantity” of methamphetamine, according to prosecutors.

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