Oregon Man Pleads No Contest To Felony Vehicular Manslaughter

MONTEREY COUNTY, CA — An Oregon man has pleaded no contest to felony vehicular manslaughter stemming from a 2016 motorcycle collision in Salinas that killed a pedestrian, Monterey County District Attorney Dean Flippo announced Friday.

Andrew Bennett, 31, formerly of Estacada and Eagle Creek, Ore., pleaded no contest on Wednesday to felony vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and will be sentenced to six years in prison, prosecutors said.

On October 25, Bennett was driving a motorcycle on North Main Street in Salinas when he ran a red light at the intersection of North Main Street and Harden Parkway and struck Gabriela Beas, 17, as she was crossing the street, prosecutors said. Beas struck her head and was fatally injured.

Prosecutors said Bennett was seen driving recklessly and speeding by other drivers in the area prior to hitting Beas. Bennett was arrested at the scene and treated for injuries at the hospital.

Toxicology reports showed he had a small amount of marijuana in his blood at the time of collision. He is scheduled for sentencing on July 5.

By Bay City News

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