DUI Driver Who Killed Murrieta Woman In Temecula Crash Sentenced

MURRIETA, CA — A drugged driver who caused a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 15 in Temecula that killed a woman was sentenced Monday to 23 years to life in state prison.

Javier Caldera, 28, of Auburn, Washington, pleaded guilty in May to second-degree murder, as well as felony driving under the influence of drugs, reckless driving and hit-and-run, with sentence-enhancing great bodily injury allegations.

The plea was made directly to Riverside County Superior Court Judge F. Paul Dickerson, without input from the District Attorney's Office. Dickerson imposed the upper-term sentence for all counts.

The June 4, 2019, collision killed 44-year-old Janet Genao of Murrieta.

Caldera was behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Silverado traveling over 100 mph on southbound I-15, near Rancho California Road, when his pickup slammed into the back of Genao's Nissan Altima at 7:28 a.m., causing a chain-reaction crash involving four other vehicles, according to prosecutors.

The force of the impact also sent a Chevrolet S-10 pickup off the road and into the side of the Temecula City Hall parking structure, just west of the freeway, mangling the pickup and rendering it nearly unrecognizable, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The driver, whose identity was not disclosed, suffered major injuries from which he has since recovered. Two other motorists suffered minor injuries, and another driver whose vehicle was hit escaped injury, investigators said.

Caldera received minor injuries.

All of the injured parties were treated at Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar.

The defendant has prior convictions in Washington state, including driving under the influence and felony attempt to elude law enforcement officers.

Under California law, a convicted DUI offender who is aware of the risks of drinking and driving and then causes someone's death because of it can be charged with murder.