LAKEPORT – A judge Friday rescheduled the preliminary hearing of a Kelseyville man charged with gross vehicular manslaughter to instead begin on Jan. 4.
Jacobo Lopez Mejia, 24, faces two felony counts of gross vehicular manslaughter, two felony counts of driving under the influence causing bodily injury and one misdemeanor count of driving without a valid license.
Authorities allege Lopez Mejia was behind the wheel of a Ford F-150 on Aug. 18 when he lost control of the truck, which ultimately went off of Merritt Road and overturned several times.
Two passengers, Hector C. Perez and Florentino Leon Flores, died at the scene while the remaining three passengers and Lopez Mejia were transported to various hospitals.
Lopez Mejia has pleaded not guilty to all charges and denied special allegations in the case, which had been set for preliminary hearing next week.
However, Senior Deputy District Attorney John Langan asked the court Friday for a continuance to allow time for a crucial report to be completed. The defense did not oppose the request.
Judge Richard C. Martin continued the preliminary hearing to Jan. 4 in Department 2.
Authorities and court records have reported various spellings for the defendant”s last name. Defense counsel Doug Rhoades confirmed Friday that Lopez Mejia is the correct spelling.
Contact Jeremy Walsh at jwalsh@record-bee.com or call him at 263-5636, ext. 37.
