![[Inset: Jeffrey Cole Brooks is arrested after Sept. 26, 2014 crash. Contributed image of victim Daniel Eduardo Orellana. ] Main: The two vehicles after the early morning crash at Avenue S and Sierra Highway in Palmdale. [LUIS MEZA]](https://www.theavtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Brooks-gets-15-to-life.jpg)
Jeffrey Cole Brooks, 25, was convicted June 2 of second-degree murder for the Sept. 26, 2014, crash that killed 21-year-old Daniel Eduardo Orellana.
Orellana, who was on his way home from work, was stopped at a red light at Avenue S and Sierra Highway when struck from behind by Brooks’ 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.
The impact of the crash caused Orellana’s car to burst into flames and spin across the intersection, according to Deputy District Attorney Daniel Rochmes.
Brooks — who had taken a “party bus” to Los Angeles — ignored warnings from friends, who told him that he was too drunk to drive, and left the Park and Ride lot on Avenue S in Palmdale, the prosecutor said.
An expert collision reconstructionist from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department testified that Brooks was driving more than 88 mph when he struck the victim.
A criminalist testified that Brooks’ blood-alcohol level was between 0.27 percent and 0.30 percent — more than three times the legal limit.
At the time of the crash, Brooks was on probation in San Diego County for alcohol-related reckless driving. Brooks had attended court-ordered DUI education classes that warned about the dangers of driving under the influence, the prosecutor said.
Previous related stories:
Man convicted of murder for fatal DUI crash in Palmdale
Man charged with murder for fiery crash, victim’s family pleads for justice
Family mourns man killed in fiery Palmdale crash
1 dead, 1 arrested after fiery rear-end crash in Palmdale
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Dawn says
One stupid decision cost a young man his life. Devastated the young mans family, as well as his own I’m sure. There is NO excuse to drink and drive NONE what so ever. I attended Daniels funeral and the heart break I witnessed was more then I could grasp. Too many selfish people for judges to be handing out second chances, had this young man learned a valuable lesson his first time around we wouldn’t be reading this story. I pray for the victims family that they have found peace in their lives and for the drivers family because I’m sure they are just as devastated at what their son has done and now have lost him in a sense as well.
Rusty Shackleford says
Thank you dawn for calling a decision and not a mistake.
Nick says
15 years isn’t long enough. He deserves the death penalty considering he didn’t learn his lesion the first time. What a waste of human life, who in turn wasted a good human life.
Nicole says
I wanna say i dont know either of them . But i also dont know the story or the life the defendant had.. i wanna say that two lives were lost that day . The victim and the defendants. I just think that is sad all the way around . People please dont drink and drive. Plain and simple ..
Neal says
I knew jeff. I used to work with him. I feel great sorrow for the victims family and his mother. But he was always a selfish rule breaking kid I had to tolerate working with. This day was eventually going to happen to him sooner or later. I’m glad he is off the streets now. Perhaps now he will grow up!
Michelle Egberts says
@Neal… Hopefully your co-worker Jeff will take advantage of the SAP (Substance Abuse Program) while in prison and become an advocate upon his release on driving under the influence (DUI) to deter others from making that wrong choice of getting behind the wheel and costing another life. I totally understand as I was a DUI driver in 2008, wrecked a car, thankful to the driver ahead of me for calling 911 as I could have died in my accident. I will always be appreciative of CHP even though I went to jail. Lesson learned.
Jay says
I went to High School with the victim of this monster, he was a good kid and a hard worker he took the life of a friend, son, and hard working young man that day, his life was taken because someone couldn’t call an uber at least… Hope he rots in jail
Geri says
We knew him as an adolescent and in high school. Selfish and rule breaking are appropriate descriptions, as are several others. I’m hoping he will finally grow up, but I am so sorry Daniel lost his life. He had so much promise and would have been someone to give back to the world instead of take, take, take like Jeffrey.
George says
Maybe a5 yr lic. Revocation not to drive on first DUI. Would be better ,then some people would think more. Its sad that this happens ,
Joe says
If people are willing to drive while under the influence, which we know is already against the law, I highly doubt those same people would obey a license revocation.
Rusty Shackleford says
Ohio gives out free vanity DUI plates, They are bright yellow and everyone knows they have been convicted of a DUI
Michelle Egberts says
It’s unfortunate that the defendant didn’t learn his lesson in San Diego as the judge gave him a “second chance” only to continue his partying ways that cost a life. I personally feel the pain for Daniel’s family, friends and loved ones. He’s an angel among you and hopefully those who struggle with addiction. Justice was served.