LAKEPORT — Charlane Hill”s family will finally be able to spread her ashes three years after she was killed in a car crash.
Alejandro Aurelio Arias, the Kelseyville resident who was charged with causing the fatal crash, pleaded no contest Wednesday to second-degree murder. He now faces 15 years to life in prison with the possibility of lifetime parole.
The remaining charges against Arias will be dismissed as part of the plea agreement.
The incident occurred Sept. 11, 2009 at the intersection of highways 29 and 175 in Lakeport. Authorities alleged that Arias, 31, ran the junction”s red light at 100 mph and crashed into the car driven by Hill, 41. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Her family wanted to wait until the trial ended to scatter Hill”s ashes in the ocean in Fort Bragg.
“It”s been painful, and I”m glad we”re finally getting closure,” Ellis Armstrong, Hill”s brother, said. “Now that this is done, we will release her ashes after the sentencing.”
Arias pleaded no contest Wednesday afternoon minutes before opening statements for the trial were set to take place.
Judge Stephen O. Hedstrom referred the case to a Lake County probation officer for report and recommendations.
The sentencing hearing is set for Jan. 15.
Elisabeth Hill, another victim in the crash and Hill”s niece, said the family is happy with his plea and with the sentence he faces.
The trial was delayed numerous times before, but Trina Armstrong, Hill”s sister, said, “we are just so relieved he didn”t draw it out any longer.”
Ellis added that the family is happy it”s done, “but Lake County needs to stop putting off trials and I hope that this trial wakes the county up.”
The family plans to spread Hill”s ashes in February.
“Now that this is finally over, we can release my sister”s ashes and move on,” Ellis said. “She was a wonderful person.”
