Tow Truck Driver Pleads Not Guilty in Boy’s Death
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An East Los Angeles man, whose tow truck was involved in a two-vehicle crash that killed a 13-year-old boy, pleaded not guilty to a murder charge Monday.
Heriberto Contreras, 21, allegedly was speeding and unable to stop for a traffic light at Denker Avenue and 54th Street when he lost control of his truck Feb. 10.
Jerry Houston Williams, a seventh-grader on his way home from church, died in the crash that injured his sister, La Lisa Steward, 9, and the driver of the car, Nadine Lashley, 71. Contreras originally was charged with vehicular manslaughter and reckless driving, but Deputy Dist. Atty. Larry Boyle upgraded the charge to second-degree murder. Contreras, who has a history of driving violations, knew the brakes on his truck were faulty, Boyle said.
A preliminary hearing is set for March 21.
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