LANCASTER – Criminal charges were filed this week against a driver accused of speeding through a stop sign, causing a fatal collision and then fleeing the scene, authorities said.
William L. Leblanc, 32, of Santa Clarita pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to one count of murder and one count of hit-and-run driving resulting in death, in connection with the Antelope Valley traffic crash that killed 54-year-old Steven Harold Grey, according to Ricardo Santiago of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
The fatal collision happened around 9:45 a.m. Friday, Oct. 7, on SR-138 (Avenue D) and 110th Street West, the California Highway Patrol reported.
Leblanc was driving a 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution northbound on 110th Street West “at a high rate of speed,” while Grey was driving a 1999 Toyota Avalon eastbound on SR-138 at approximately 60 miles per hour, according to a CHP report.
“Leblanc traveled at a high rate of speed through the stop sign controlled intersection and collided with the right rear of the Toyota,” the CHP report states.
“This impact caused the Toyota to spin out of control onto the right shoulder, and the left side of the Toyota collided with an Edison pole south of the south roadway edge of SR-138,” the CHP report states.
Grey was pronounced dead at the scene, CHP officials said.
“Leblanc fled the scene and was later located [on] northbound SR-14, south of Avenue K, by CHP Officer Tamayo,” the CHP report states.
Leblanc was taken into custody around 7:51 p.m. on Oct. 7, according to LASD inmate records, and murder and hit-and-run charges were filed on Oct. 12.
After pleading not guilty to the charges, Leblanc was ordered to be held in lieu of $1 million bail. A preliminary hearing was set for Oct. 24 at the Antelope Valley courthouse to determine if there is enough evidence to require Leblanc to stand trial.
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Fred says
Leblanc was arrested earlier this year for possession.
Perhaps this is the explanation for the charges:
“Felony murder is a legal rule that expands the definition of murder. It applies when someone commits a certain kind of felony and someone else dies in the course of it. It doesn’t matter whether the death was intentional or accidental—the defendant is liable for it. The rule is usually limited to felonies that are inherently or foreseeably dangerous to human life, such as arson, rape, robbery, and burglary.”
The felony in this case could be hit-and-run driving, while impaired.
Big Lou says
I had a close call today. Going south on 70 west approach “H” I have the right of way. I see this guy in a white GMC 4×4 doing at least 70 MPH. Had I not been curious checking out a movie shoot at Antelope Acres, I’d be in the paper. There is NO excuse to drive like Speed Racer, let alone blow a stop sign. I bet this guy does this everyday. Manslaughter is not enough for these speed demons.
Mike says
Filing the wrong charges against this guy will only lead to acquittal in court. Charge him with a charge they can get a conviction on. i would be reluctant to return a murder verdict as opposed to a manslaughter charge.
deedee says
This is his third arrest this year! Once for firing a gun in a public place and once for possession of drugs. He then drives while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs and kills a man and flees the scene. This man could have lived if he hadn’t fled and got help immediately. BUT NO he did not do that! He chose to flee and in turn caused this man not to get the help he needed sooner! Just like he chose to drive while intoxicated just like he chose to fire a gun in a public place just like he had chosen to have drugs and get arrested for that. Murder is the right charge for him! If not for him making the decisions he has made repeatedly a good man would still be alive with his family and friends!
you're right deedee says
and this is why people need to vote NO on prop 57!
C Bracy says
Punish him like he punished the victim loose him like the VICTIM lost his LIFE FAIR US FAIR RIGHT
Jaime says
A charge of murder is not really the charge that should b acquitted.he was wreckless driving probly scared out his mind that he hit someone that is no excuse for his fleeing thr scene but vehicular manslaughter wreckless driving running a stop sign is all appropriate and was he under the influence should b apart of wat he is charged with if he was drinking tgen yes murder is more appropriate for the situation but this wasnt intentional he didnt just say oh today i think im going to run a stop sign and kill someone no he made a bad desicion and ran a stop sign that resulted in death
deedee says
Jaime it was murder his arrest report says he was under the influence and fled the scene. He has also been arrested at least twice this year for similar offenses. He murdered this man plain and simple. He was driving recklessly, under the influence and did not bother to stop and help him. I he hadn’t left the scene Steve may still be alive today.
He made the decision to consciously get in his vehicle and drive while under the influence of drugs and or alcohol and a husband, father, son, grandfather was lost. I think murder fits this crime perfectly.