LANCASTER – A driver who was allegedly drunk when he plowed his pickup truck into a Lancaster home and crushed an elderly lady sleeping in her bed has been charged with murder.
Aaron Daniel Benson, 25, of Lancaster, is charged with murdering 71-year-old Patricia Ann Holmes, according to a felony criminal complaint. Benson is also charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury within 10 years of another DUI offense and driving with a 0.08% blood alcohol content causing injury within 10 years of another DUI offense. The charging document also alleges Benson personally inflicted great bodily injury upon Patricia Holmes.
Benson appeared in an Antelope Valley courtroom April 1, but he did not enter a plea and arraignment was postponed to April 15, according to Ricardo Santiago of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
The charges stem from a crash that occurred around 10:55 p.m. Sunday, March 29, in the 1000 block of West Avenue J-12 in Lancaster.
Benson crashed his 2001 Toyota Tacoma into several parked cars on both sides of the street before ramming the pickup truck into the elderly victim’s home, according to sheriff’s officials.
The 71-year-old woman was found in her bed underneath the pickup truck, according to Sgt. David Jennings of the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Neighbors who came outside when they heard the crash said the driver appeared uninjured, but he was panicked and “freaking out.”
Benson was arrested around 11:30 p.m. March 29. He has been jailed since his arrest in lieu of $1 million bail.
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Previous related story: Suspected DUI driver crashes into Lancaster home, woman killed
kiki says
I don’t know this guy personally but he made a bad choice to drink and drive and an innocent lady lost her life cause of his bad choices there for to bad he should pay for what he did he will now have a lot of time to think of what he did.
AVSux says
Why are the off duty pigs allowed to sit at the bars and drink? And don’t pretend they’re not because I have seen people that I know are cops getting wrecked at local bars and KNOW they are driving.
Wow. says
How completely inappropriate. Go troll somewhere else. RIP to the poor lady who was killed.
M says
Because some people in this world know how to “drink responsibly”. A responsible adult knows that when they have the responsibility to drive home they don’t have more than one beer… and it has nothing to do with them being law enforcement either.
Mike says
If you did some research you would know at least one Deputy went to prison for murder for killing someone after being involved in a D.U.I. Many others have been arreted for drunk driving. Im betting most drink resposibly.
Tiredofit says
Care to discuss this in person you jack wagon? I’m more than happy to meet with you.
Mike says
Did someone on here offend you?
Debbie says
Good maybe this can set a example for other drunks “DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE” That poor lady did not have a chance. Not even safe in your own home sleeping. My prayers go out to her family. Hopefully they will lock him up and throw the key away that is what this IDIOT.
Mike says
Prayers go out to to the lady and her her poor family for dealing with such a tragic situation!!! I do know this guy personally and I just have to say I know he hates himself more than anyone in this world and would trade places with her in a heartbeat. Made a stupid mistake and he one with others of course, have to pay for his mistakes. I hope both ends find peace! Such a sad situation!!!