Man Admits to Plowing into Laguna Niguel Pedestrian

A 45-year-old San Clemente man pleaded guilty today to gross vehicular manslaughter for running down a 58-year-old woman in Laguna Niguel on the Fourth of July in 2013.

Christopher James Gallo was driving a Cadillac south on Golden Lantern Street slammed into Luzanna Malec and a 62-year-old man about 9 a.m. as they walked their dogs, Orange County prosecutors said.

Malec was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other victim suffered a traumatic brain injury and broken ribs, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

A few months before Malec’s death, Gallo was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and possession of drugs, according to prosecutors.

Gallo was arrested by the California Highway Patrol about 6 p.m. April 15, 2013. He had stopped his car on the shoulder of the San Diego (5) Freeway near Camino de Estrella in San Clemente, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

Gallo is scheduled to be sentenced March 23.

City News Service