LAKEPORT — The criminal case against a man charged with causing a fatal rollover crash in Kelseyville last year appears close to a resolution before trial.
“I believe we”re at settlement,” defense attorney Doug Rhoades said during a court appearance Monday afternoon at the Lake County Courthouse.
Rhoades represents Jacobo Lopez Mejia, who faces five counts and several special allegations in connection with the crash along Merritt Road on Aug. 18. Passengers Hector Chavez Perez and Florentino Leon Flores died at the scene.
Lopez Mejia, 24, has denied all charges to date, but Rhoades told a judge Monday that his client reviewed a settlement offer and wanted time to discuss the terms with family and friends.
Judge David W. Herrick agreed to continue Monday”s pretrial proceedings for one week.
Prosecutor John Langan described the offer after the hearing, saying the defendant would have to plead to two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and could receive a midterm sentence of eight years in state prison.
A judge would have to approve any plea agreement.
