Suspect in Death of Cyclist Charged With Murder
Thursday, Jan 7, 2010 | Updated 2:47 PM PDT
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A Canyon Country man faces a murder charge in the death of cyclist.
A 20-year-old Canyon Country man on probation in two DUI cases was charged Wednesday with murder and other counts in the death of a bicyclist he allegedly struck on Bouquet Canyon Road.
Marco Antonio Valencia, who turns 21 next month, is charged with one felony count each of murder and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated for the crash that killed Joseph Novotny, 43, of Stevenson Ranch, and injured three other cyclists about 11 a.m. Saturday.
The criminal complaint also charges Valencia with six felony counts of DUI and four felony counts of leaving the scene of an accident, along with one misdemeanor count of driving when privilege was suspended for a prior DUI conviction.
The complaint alleges that Valencia has two prior misdemeanor DUI convictions in Los Angeles County from May 2007 and February 2008.
Valencia, who was arrested on suspicion of DUI about 90 minutes after the crash, is due back in San Fernando Superior Court for arraignment July 29.
He is jailed in lieu of $1.3 million bail and faces 27 years to life in prison if convicted, according to the District Attorney's Office.
