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Meaghan York, 21, of Canyon Country was killed in the crash after her vehicle was struck by another driver who was allegedly under the influence.

Drunk Driver Pleads No Contest To Manslaughter After Fatal Canyon Country Crash

A drunk driver pled no contest to manslaughter charges Tuesday after a fatal Canyon Country crash last year, which killed 21-year-old Meaghan York.

Joshua David Austin, of Santa Clarita, pleaded no contest to one felony count of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and one misdemeanor count of driving under the influence causing injury, according to Ricardo Santiago, spokesperson for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Around 11:30 p.m. on Feb. 11, 2019, first responders received a call for a crash involving three vehicles — a pickup truck and two other vehicles — at the intersection of Soledad Canyon and Sand Canyon Roads.

See Related: DUI Suspect Arrested In Fatal Canyon Country Crash Returns To Court

Upon arrival, officers located a Ford Ranger pickup, Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Prius which had been involved in the collision.

Officials say the driver of the Ford Ranger pickup truck, Austin, was traveling westbound on Soledad Canyon Road when he allegedly failed to stop at a red light and collided with the driver’s side of the Hyundai Elantra.

“The driver of the Hyundai Elantra was pronounced deceased at the scene,” said Sheriff’s officials.

Meaghan York, 21, of Canyon Country, was killed in the crash, according to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.

Austin is scheduled to return for sentencing on March 20.


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Drunk Driver Pleads No Contest To Manslaughter After Fatal Canyon Country Crash

7 comments

  1. How sad this is tragic.

  2. Do we still have firing squads? If so, sign him up.

  3. Prayers for both families , seriously so tragic

  4. Please think before you drink and NEVER drink and drive!

  5. Should have got worse than manslaughter he had no remorse for what he did. He thought it was all a game. Don’t drink and drive.

  6. Its tragic what happened. How do you know this kid has no remorse & thinks it was all a game. Not trying to disrespect your comment, but the kid has been in jail since this accident and I find it hard to believe that he would think this is all a game as you say.

    • actually, he has not been in jail since the accident. He was recently put back in on a violation charge earlier this year. Ron, please do some research before you assume that he has been sitting in jail the whole time because he has not.

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About Devon Miller

Devon Miller was born and raised in Santa Clarita. He joined KHTS Radio as a digital marketing intern in September of 2017, and later moved to news as a staff writer in December. Miller attended College of the Canyons and served as the Associated Student Government President. Miller is now News Director for KHTS, covering breaking news and politics across the Santa Clarita Valley.