A drunk driver who was arrested for murder last year after causing a fatal 14 Freeway crash north of Santa Clarita pleading not guilty Friday.

Roberto Deloya, 35, from Palmdale pleading not guilty in court Friday, said Ricardo Santiago, spokesperson for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office.

Around 1:15 a.m. Friday, July 16, 2021, first responders received reports of a traffic collision on the northbound 14 Freeway near Puritan Mine Road in Acton, said Officer Josh Greengard, spokesperson for the California Highway Patrol, (CHP) Newhall Area Office at the time of the crash.

“A 2002 Chevy pickup was traveling on the northbound SR-14 north of Puritan Mine Road,” Greengard said. “A 2014 Buick was traveling behind the Chevy, in the No. 3 lane, at a rate of high speed.”

Deloya failed to safely slow down or stop prior to crashing into the rear of the Chevy, according to officials.

“The Chevy overturned and the driver of the Chevy sustained fatal injuries,” Greengard said at the time of the crash.

The victim of the crash was identified as Humberto Gaytan Balderrama, 48, from California City, said Sarah Ardalani, spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office.

Balderrama’s passenger sustained major injuries, and was transported to the hospital, according to CHP officials.

“Alcohol may be a factor in this collision,” Greengard said.

Deloya is due back in court on April 21, for a preliminary hearing.

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