Alleged Livermore Drunk Driver Arraigned; Back in Court for Plea in June

By AUTUMN JOHNSON

An alleged drunk driver charged with two counts of murder for the deaths of a mother and her baby in a crash in Livermore earlier this month appeared in court yesterday in Pleasanton. Brian Jones of Livermore was arraigned at the Gale Schenone Hall of Justice on Tuesday and will appear again in June to enter a plea, according to court documents.

ABC 7 News reported the family of 46-year-old Esperanza Morales-Rodriguez of Seaside and her 14-month-old daughter, Ulidia Perez-Morales were in court yesterday when Jones made his appearance. Jones had been free on $350,000 bail but was arrested at a home in Fremont on May 21.

Previous:

• Alleged Livermore Drunk Driver Charged With Two Counts of Murder in Death of Mom, Baby Girl

In addition to the two murder counts, Jones faces two counts of felony driving under the influence of alcohol, causing injury, as well as multiple victim and excessive speed clauses.

According to officials with the Alameda County District’s Office, Jones’ blood alcohol content was determined to be 0.14 percent, well above the legal limit for drinking and driving. O’Malley said Jones was under the influence of alcohol as he drove his car at speeds ranging from 75 mph to 99 mph through residential streets in Livermore.
A probable cause statement written by Livermore Police investigators said Jones had a prior arrest for allegedly driving while intoxicated and pleaded to a reckless driving charge in that case.

A GoFundMe campaign started by a family friend raised enough money to cover the costs of the double funeral arrangements.

Jones is currently being held in custody without bail. He will be back in court on June 16 at 2 p.m.

Related:

• Fund Reaches Goal for Crash Victims’ Family
• Mayor Blames Suspect, Not Wine Festival, For Deadly Crash
• Coroner Officially Releases Names; Mom’s Age Different From Previous Reports
• No Charges Filed Yet in Crash That Killed Two
• WATCH: LPD News Conference on Fatal Crash
• Police: Suspect Out of Jail, Had Attended Wine Festival
• Crash: Mother and Child Identified; Fund Set Up for Family
• Livermore Man Identified as Suspect in Deadly DUI Crash
• Update: Woman, Baby Girl Killed in Alleged DUI Crash in Livermore

Photo 1: Booking photo via Livermore Police

Photo 2: Family photo of Esperanza Morales-Rodriguez and her baby daughter

Photo 3: The deadly crash in Livermore Saturday night claimed two lives and sent two young boys to the hospital. Image via Facebook, Mendoza Luliana

Bay City News contributed to this report.

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