Daniel Castillo

Concluding a five-day trial, a Superior Court jury convicted Daniel Castillo, 38, of gross vehicular manslaughter and other charges in the forklift-related deaths of two people.

Castillo was operating a straight-mast diesel-powered Caterpillar R50 rough-terrain forklift with a maximum load capacity of 5,000 lb. (2,268 kg).

He was driving the forklift southbound in reverse on a roadway in an agricultural area on 29 August 2013, when it crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with a northbound Honda Civic, killing two people and critically injuring two others, according to the California Highway Patrol. Trial witnesses said the forklift was going at a reckless speed, had tynes in an excessively raised position and lacked safety devices.

Prosecutors had charged Castillo with two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving while under the influence of methamphetamine, causing injury and reckless driving causing serious bodily injury. Special allegations were filed.

In representing the accused, the public defender contended there was no evidence Castillo was impaired at the time of the crash.

Authorities took Castillo into custody after the verdicts were read in Judge John McGregor's courtroom in Santa Maria. Castillo could be sentenced to 15 years in prison.