KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
A Santa Clarita woman who allegedly stole a car and caused a fatal wrong-way five-vehicle collision on the 210 Freeway returned to court Tuesday.
In Fall 2018, the defense declared doubt as to Thibault’s mental ability to assist in her own defense, causing the case to be suspended until a mental evaluation could be done, according to officials from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
On Oct. 22, 2018, Thibault was found mentally competent to stand trial and criminal proceedings were reinstated, according to the D.A.’s office.
In May 2018, Thibault pleaded not guilty to one count of murder, one count of grand theft, six counts of attempted murder and six counts of assault with a deadly weapon, according to the D.A.’s Office.
Related: Santa Clarita Wrong-Way Driver Charged With Murder Returns To Court
Prosecutors said that on Jan. 22, 2018, Thibault stole a parked truck in San Bernardino. She then allegedly drove through several red lights at unsafe speeds before entering the 210 Freeway, prosecutors added.
In the backseat of the stolen vehicle was a two-year-old child, according to CHP officials.
About a mile from where the car was stolen, the woman pulled over, carried the boy out of the car and left him on a sidewalk near Temple and H streets, where the child was found safe, according to authorities.
Thibault then allegedly entered the 210 Freeway going the wrong direction, traveling west in the eastbound lanes for over 20 miles. She then collided head-on with several cars, according to prosecutors.
Responding CHP units attempted to get into position to stop the vehicle; however, a pursuit was never initiated, officials said.
“As the Ford F-150 continued traveling wrong-way within the center median of SR-210, for unknown reasons it veered into oncoming traffic and collided with 4 vehicles,” according to CHP officials. “It is unclear where the Ford F-150 entered the freeway and why the suspect was driving wrong-way.”
Daniel Castillo, 69, died from injuries sustained in the crash. Six other victims also suffered injuries, according to prosecutors.
If convicted as charged, Thibault faces a maximum possible sentence of 57 years to life in prison.
Thibault was currently being held at the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood, with bail set at $8 million.
She is scheduled to return to the Pomona Branch Courthouse on June 24, 2019 for a Preliminary Hearing.
Sponsored Articles
KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
This is a perfect example of the inequalities of the California Law.
In this specific case, the Death Penalty should clearly be imposed.
It is time to take back our Country from people who clearly don’t want to be here or simply take advantage of the system. When will Sacramento wake up? When will California stop electing idiots? When will native Californians say “Enough is Enough”, senseless deaths.
I’d love to see idiot Gov. Newsom explain to the victims families how he is powerless to do anything. California is a joke, and the laughing stalk of America, I for one am ashamed to live here.