An Orange County Superior Court judge in Santa Ana postponed by six months the trial of physician Robert McFarland Pettis, charged in a double fatality that occurred in Laguna Beach more than three years ago.
The eye ear nose and throat specialist was behind the wheel of a Tesla in the early morning hours of April 2, 2013, that crossed double yellow lines into oncoming traffic on Laguna Canyon Road and collided head-on with a vehicle, causing the death of two occupants. The gardeners, driver Alberto Casique-Salinas, 47, of Anaheim and his passenger Armondo Garcia Gonzales, of Santa Ana, were heading into town to work for Stewart Landscaping.
During a preliminary hearing in Aug. 27, 2014, Laguna Beach police traffic investigator David McGill testified to the eyewitness account of the accident by Leo Glabb. Glabb had stopped behind the Tesla at a red light and described the car accelerate and race for position with a Mercedes as the roadway narrowed from two lanes to one.
Pettis alone was arrested and charged criminally, but he posted bail and has continued to practice medicine. He vacated an office in Laguna Beach and now practices in Irvine and Huntington Beach.
The driver of the Mercedes, podiatrist Dekker Nolan McKeever, was not charged criminally in the collision, though he and Pettis are named as defendants in a civil personal-injury lawsuit, which was filed in January 2014 on behalf of relatives of the men killed. McKeever, previously based in Dana Point, now practices in Las Vegas.
A spokeswoman for the district attorney’s office said Monday, June 20, the court put off the criminal trail until Nov. 28. A case management hearing is set in the civil suit for July 11.
Earlier trial dates last year were postponed at the request of Pettis’s defense attorney, Paul Meyer of Costa Mesa.
Monday, June 13
Traffic stop. 600 block of Laguna Canyon Rd. 2:12 a.m. Corey Andrew Remington, 28, of Lake Forest, was arrested for suspicion of DUI with two prior offenses.
Tuesday, June 14
Assist other department. 20200 block of Laguna Canyon Rd. 12:49 p.m. Brenda Leon Cansino, 28, of Florida, and companion Jose Soto-Tobar, 25, whose address is unknown, were arrested for suspicion of attempted vehicle theft and conspiracy after they allegedly were observed tampering with two vehicles in wilderness parking areas. A search of their car turned up burglary tools. Bail was set at $20,000.
DUI. Coast Hwy. 10:06 p.m. An erratic driver report prompted the arrest of a 28-year-old from Fairfield, Conn., for DUI.
Vandalism. 30800 block of Coast Hwy. 11:31 Four new trees valued at $3,000 were intentionally cut.
Wednesday, June 15
Traffic collision. 3200 block of Laguna Canyon Rd. 4:14 p.m. A 28-year-old man standing in the center turn lane allegedly ran in front of an oncoming vehicle. He suffered neck and knee injuries and was transported for treatment.
Thursday, June 16
Traffic stop. 300 block of Broadway St. 12:36 a.m. A 23-year-old Orange man was cited for DUI.
Disturbance. 100 block of S. Coast Hwy. 8:23 a.m. Witnesses who observed people trying to break into the lifeguard tower resulted in the arrest of Luis Alberto Abea, 38, Daly City, for suspicion of attempted burglary. Bail was set at $20,000.
Suspicious circs. N. Coast Hwy. 12:37 p.m. Bryan Douglas Wigginton, 23, of San Juan Capistrano, was arrested for outstanding warrants.
Vehicle burglary. 800 block of Acapulco St. 12:58 p.m. Santa Ana police made an arrested related to a break-in in a Laguna Beach car.
Automated license plate reader. Ledroit St. 1 p.m. Salvador Zepeda Valdes, 22, was arrested for suspicion of auto theft.
Burglary. 1200 block of Cliff Dr. 10:15 p.m. Westminster police detained a suspect who was in possession of property stolen from a purse in Laguna.
Traffic collision. Cleo St. 11 p.m. A 25-year-old Laguna Beach man was cited for DUI.
Friday, June 17
Grand theft. 31800 block of Circle Dr. 3 p.m. A resident suspects a cleaning lady in the theft of jewelry and cash valued at $40,000.
Petty theft. 50 block of Glenneyre St. 8 p.m. A missing iPhone was traced to Moreno valley.
Saturday, June 18
Traffic stop. Glennyere St. 2:16 a.m. A 26-year-old Foothill Ranch man was cited for DUI.
Traffic stop. Brooks St. 2:29 a.m. A San Gabriel resident, 46, was cited for DUI.
Traffic stop. Diamond St. 11:57 p.m. Rhiannon Elizabeth Sheuy Buckley, 25, of San Clemente was arrested for suspicion of DUI. Bail was set at $50,000 due to three prior offenses.
Sunday, June 19
Traffic stop. 200 block of Diamond St. 12:28 a.m. A 44-year-old Washington man was cited for DUI.
Traffic stop. Laguna Canyon Rd. 2 a.m. A 37-year-old Irvine man was cited for DUI.
Suspicious person. 200 block of Lower cliff Dr. 7 p.m. A 45-year-old Laguna Beach homeless woman was arrested for suspicion of being under the influence.
Drunk driving. 20500 block of Laguna Canyon Rd. 9 p.m. Following a collision with another motorist, a 36-year-old Newport Beach woman was cited for DUI.
June 20, 2016
Traffic stop. Wesley Dr. 1:23 p.m. A 41-year-old Mission Viejo man was cited for DUI.
Suspicious. 600 block of S. Coast Hwy. 2:40 a.m. A 24-year-old Salt Lake City man was cited for being under the influence.
Dr. Pettis is a good man who has helping hundreds of people get their lives back through the good work he does in the operating room and his office. As the saying goes, “But for the grace of God there walk I. it was a horrible tragedy but this good man has paid a heavy price.” Nothing can erase the incredible loss of the family of these two men. I’ve been on that road and as the sun is coming up and people are constantly jockeying for position to get over before it goes down to a two lane highway. The county should be sued not Dr. Pettis. he changed my life of sinusitis by curing it with a balloon.
You are an absolute idiot. He was racing. Its not the counties fault.
Did this trial ever take place?