Redwood City Man Found Guilty of Second Degree Murder

From Yolo County

Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig announced that a Yolo County jury found Reyes Barajas, 47, of Redwood City guilty Thursday of two counts of Second Degree Murder and two counts of Gross Vehicular Manslaughter while Intoxicated. 

On Sept. 3, 2012, drove his wife, Ann Marie, 39, and his son, Marco, 14, from Clearlake Oaks to Redwood City after visiting family. Witnesses during the trial testified that Barajas was driving in excess of 75 miles per hour on State Route 16 when he lost control of his car. An accident re-constructionist from the CHP Multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team testified that Barajas allowed the truck to drift off the right side of the road and when he attempted to turn left it caused the car to roll and then fall down an embankment before coming to rest 20 feet below.

Ann Marie and Marco died as a result of the crash. Barajas was air lifted to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital where he was released three days later with moderate injuries. Barajas had blood alcohol level of .19 when he lost control of his car. 

Barajas had previously had been convicted of three separate convictions for DUI and as a result had been required to attend Alcohol Education Classes for over four years.

“Barajas had been warned on many, many occasions that it was extremely dangerous to human life to drive under the influence of alcohol, but he continued to do so and as a result Ann Marie and Marco paid the ultimate price. Today the jury held him accountable for that fateful decision.” said District Attorney Jeff Reisig. 

Barajas is facing a prison sentence of 30 years to life. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 18, 2013 before Yolo County Superior Court Judge Janet Gaard.