NEWS RELEASE
FROM: Karyn Sinunu, Assistant District Attorney CONTACT PERSON:
Matthew D. Braker, Deputy District Attorney
(408) 792-2531 For release on September 23, 2004 DRIVER KILLING PALO ALTO BICYCLIST IS CHARGED WITH MURDER Thirty-eight year old David Anthony Espino was charged today with the murder of James Dein and causing great bodily injury to Ted Aberg on February 19, 2004 in Los Gatos, California. Dein, age 56, and Aberg, age 65, were Palo Alto biking partners in the midst of their regular Palo Alto to Los Gatos bike ride when they were struck by Espino’s red van while riding in the bicycle lane on Saratoga-Los Gatos Road.
Several witnesses saw Espino erratically driving down Hwy. 9 just prior to the fatal collision. These witnesses report seeing the red van traveling on the wrong side of the road, weaving within its lane and traveling on the shoulder of the road. Espino, driving on a flat tire, rear-ended another motorist moments before striking Dein and Aberg. That motorist tells police that after being struck, Espino did not stop, but instead increased his speed and attempted to pass him by entering the bicycle lane where Dein and Aberg were riding.
Espino, arrested the following day, is also charged with hit and run, reckless driving causing bodily injury, driving on a suspended driver’s license and being under the influence of Phencyclidine (PCP) at the time of his arrest. He faces 20 years to life in prison if convicted. ###
FROM: Karyn Sinunu, Assistant District Attorney CONTACT PERSON:
Matthew D. Braker, Deputy District Attorney
(408) 792-2531 For release on September 23, 2004 DRIVER KILLING PALO ALTO BICYCLIST IS CHARGED WITH MURDER Thirty-eight year old David Anthony Espino was charged today with the murder of James Dein and causing great bodily injury to Ted Aberg on February 19, 2004 in Los Gatos, California. Dein, age 56, and Aberg, age 65, were Palo Alto biking partners in the midst of their regular Palo Alto to Los Gatos bike ride when they were struck by Espino’s red van while riding in the bicycle lane on Saratoga-Los Gatos Road.
Several witnesses saw Espino erratically driving down Hwy. 9 just prior to the fatal collision. These witnesses report seeing the red van traveling on the wrong side of the road, weaving within its lane and traveling on the shoulder of the road. Espino, driving on a flat tire, rear-ended another motorist moments before striking Dein and Aberg. That motorist tells police that after being struck, Espino did not stop, but instead increased his speed and attempted to pass him by entering the bicycle lane where Dein and Aberg were riding.
Espino, arrested the following day, is also charged with hit and run, reckless driving causing bodily injury, driving on a suspended driver’s license and being under the influence of Phencyclidine (PCP) at the time of his arrest. He faces 20 years to life in prison if convicted. ###