LANCASTER – A 26-year-old man was found guilty Wednesday of drunkenly crashing into a Lancaster home, killing a 71-year-old woman who was in her bedroom, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced.
An Antelope Valley jury found Aaron Daniel Benson of Lancaster guilty of one count each of murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury within 10 years of another DUI offense and driving with a .08 percent blood alcohol content causing injury within 10 years of another DUI offense, according to Deputy District Attorney Sun Chung.
Benson faces 15 years to life in state prison at a hearing scheduled in February in Department A20 of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Antelope Valley Branch.
Benson was driving with a blood alcohol level that was more than twice the legal limit on March 29 when he sideswiped cars parked on West Avenue J-12 and then crashed into Patricia Ann Holmes’ bedroom, according to court testimony.
Holmes, who was lying in her bed at the time, died as a result of the injuries, the prosecutor said.
Benson had previously been convicted for driving under the influence in 2011.
The jury deliberated for a day before returning with the guilty verdicts.
Previous related stories:
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Murder trial ordered in Lancaster crash that killed sleeping elderly woman
Hearing moved to late May for alleged drunk driver who crashed into woman’s home
Man pleads not guilty in crash that killed elderly woman sleeping inside Lancaster home
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r4pg says
I will be there for you.
Patricia says
Well the women he killed was a verry misc lady that did not bother no one she did not deserved to die if u ask me he deserved to get life cuz he new that he was drinking so he chosen to get behind the weel of the he new wat he was doing thats his falt no one is going feel sorry for him
jim fink says
Aaron is a wonderful person he would not do anything on purpose to hurt a fly yes he really screwed up of course condolences to the family he did not do that on purpose I hope you find it in your heart to forgive him
Danny says
Keep the fingers crossed for life
Flint says
Why no comments? Alright I guess I’ll give it a go. I never met Aaron, but he has such a huge heart. Only Jesus can judge and you weren’t there so don’t know what really happened. Maybe if the police had done their job and pulled him over for dui this wouldn’t have happened. Aaron would never do something like this. He was about to take a class at the community college!
Jason says
Or maybe if he had learned his lesson from his FIRST DUI he wouldn’t have been driving at more than twice the legal limit.
bye bye new fish! says
but Aaron did do something like this. and while you’re clearly impassioned about this scumbag that killed a woman in cold blood, why don’t you get impassioned about her? A woman is dead- he was behind the wheel. Let’s put this in proper perspective…
Jack Black says
*WHOOOOSH*
I think a couple people need their sarcasm detectors repaired.
J says
If you don’t know him, how do you know this?