No 25-To-Life For 2-Time Felon After Crashing Into OC Deputy's Patrol Car
SANTA ANA (CBS) — A two-time felon will not face a prison sentence of 25 years to life after ramming his car into a marked Orange County Sheriff's Department patrol car.
KNX 1070's Brian Ping reports David Araujo Reyes was instead sentenced to 13 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to felony aggravated assault on a police officer.
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Reyes, 28, of Santa Ana, had prior convictions for robbery and gang activity, which more than tripled the time he would have otherwise be sentenced.
Shortly after 10 a.m. on March 14, 2010 Reyes made a legal left turn from First Street onto Flower Street, but instead of passing a deputy who was idling for a red light, he jerked the wheel and punched the gas toward the marked patrol car.
The deputy was left with lingering neck and back pain, but managed to exit the vehicle and draw his weapon on Reyes, who was taken into custody without incident.
Prosecutors withdrew an attempted murder charge due to a lack of evidence and Reyes' history of mental illness.
But despite his two prior felony convictions for robbery and street terrorism, the incident was not considered a third strike for Reyes under the state's three-strikes law.
He will, however, have his driver's license permanently revoked by the Department of Motor Vehicles, according to the Orange County District Attorney's office.
