Accused Reckless Driver In Deadly Peninsula Crash Charged With Vehicular Manslaughter

A man who was allegedly responsible for a collision that killed one person and injured two others in East Palo Alto last month has been charged with vehicular manslaughter and reckless driving causing bodily injuries, San Mateo County prosecutors said Tuesday.

Diangelo Pantalion Williams, 27, was allegedly driving on University Avenue at roughly 65 to 70 mph when he ran a red light around 2:50 p.m. on June 16, striking another vehicle turning left from Kavanaugh Drive onto University. Jose Diaz-Galaviz, a 49-year-old father of five children, suffered a crushed skull, broken pelvis and major injuries to his chest, according to prosecutors. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Diaz-Galaviz's wife, who was a passenger in the victim's vehicle, suffered a fractured skull, a fractured spine and a bruised lung, according to authorities. A passenger in Williams' vehicle was also injured. She suffered a fracture in a lower-lumbar vertebra.Investigators determined that drugs and alcohol were not a factor in the collision, but that Williams was speeding on a road with a speed limit of 25 mph.

Williams faces a maximum of seven years and six months in prison if convicted of the listed charges. He made his initial appearance in court on Monday, but did not enter a plea. He's scheduled to reappear at 1:30 p.m. on July 31.

Williams has not yet been assigned an attorney, according to the Private Defender Program, and no one was available to comment on his behalf. He remains in custody on $250,000 bail.

By Bay City News Service / Image via Shutterstock